Brady Lundt, MTN Reporter
March 28th, 2019
Mental Health First Aid USA wants to remind people to take care of their mental health during the effects of COVID-19.
The organization has seven tips to keep both you and your family healthy:
1. Eat healthfully to keep your body in top working order.
2. Exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, whether we’re working out at home or taking a solo jog around the neighborhood.
3. Practice relaxation therapy. Focusing on tensing and relaxing muscle groups can help you relax voluntarily when feeling overwhelmed, stressed or anxious.
4. Let light in. For some people, increased exposure to light can improve symptoms of depression. If you can, open the shades and let more sunlight in.
5. Be kind to yourself! Treat yourself with the same compassion you would a friend.
6. Stay connected. Even if you can’t get together face-to-face, you can stay connected to friends, family and neighbors with phone calls, text messages, video chats and social media. If you’re feeling lonely, sad or anxious, reach out to your social support networks. Share what you are feeling and offer to listen to friends or family members about their feelings. We are all experiencing this scary and uncertain time together.
7. Monitor media consumption. While you might want to stay up-to the minute with COVID-19 news, too much exposure can be overwhelming. Balance media consumption with other activities you enjoy, such as reading, cooking or listening to music.
If you feel that you or someone you know is at risk because of anxiety or depression, please call 911. You can also call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor.
For more information, please visit https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/.
Mental Health First Aid USA is a service of the National Council for Behavioral Health.