“How are you doing in this strange time?” is a common question people have been asking each other amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As humans, we tend to like familiarity and routine. This global pandemic has disrupted many aspects of everyday life and has caused great uncertainty. It is difficult to know how to handle this situation, as many of us have never had experience with a health crisis of this scale. COVID-19 has impacted people’s work and financial situation, school deadlines and delivery methods, grocery shopping, and more. Likewise, these changes can affect our mental health. Across the world, people are experience feelings of anxiety, worry, depression, and loneliness, amongst other concerns.
Managing these feelings can differ between individuals, so it is important to find what works for you. While talking to others, I have learned a few suggestions to help during this situation.
- Whether that looks like writing a song about what you are feeling, listening to your favourite band, or singing in the shower. Music can help us connect to our feelings or just provide us an opportunity to have fun.
- This can look any which way, as long as it suits your needs. You can dance, try yoga, scrub the floors, or follow a workout video online. It is important to stretch and move your body. Our mind and body are deeply connected- it’s important to care for both.
- Try making a list of what you are grateful for in your life. It can be helpful to focus on the positives in a situation and it can help put life in perspective.
- It is important to continue virtually connecting and talking to others. You can call, facetime, email, or anything that can virtually connect you with others. This can help us talk about our feelings, laugh, and feel a sense of togetherness.
- Again, this can look different to suit your needs. It can be helpful to continue getting ready as you normally would and then having a productive day at home. This can help us feel a sense of normalcy.
As well, therapy is a useful support for this time of uncertainty. There are many benefits of therapy, including: a space to discuss feelings and problem-solve, and flexibility for delivery of sessions. Although we are practicing social distance, therapists can be very accommodating during this pandemic. Online therapy offers the chance to continue receiving support from the comfort of your own home. Many therapists can adapt to this form of therapeutic delivery, and would be more than happy to connect with others online. Overall, online therapy is useful to continue connecting about these global changes and to talk about the various feelings brought on by this pandemic. As well, online therapy is useful for individuals who have been attending therapy and would like to continue their meetings. Online therapy offers an accommodating platform and a supportive environment. And according to the American Psychological Association, research studies, also indicate that telemental health is equivalent to face-to-face care in various settings and an acceptable alternative, especially during this unique time (retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/02/online-therapy on March 20, 2020).
Although there has been many government and store closures, it is necessary to continue reaching out for mental health support. Therapists welcome and encourage everyone to continue seeking support.