The world is going through very unusual circumstances as we speak. Who would’ve known that a virus would keep us all at home and disrupt our daily lives all of a sudden? Displayed everywhere are guidelines on how to stay safe from Covid-19. Those guidelines include washing our hands, wearing a mask, and keeping a social distance. What is equally important, though, is taking care of our mental health. It’s hard to hold on to our sanity when we are confined at home and have to keep our distance from everyone we love. This is why we made this list of things to practice to remain mentally healthy during these challenging times.

Stay in Touch With Loved Ones

It’s important to know that you’re not going through all of this on your own. Our disconnection from other people is what might drive us insane the most. As humans, it’s natural to need a company of our own kind. You won’t be able to visit or meet your family and friends as often, but luckily, in the age of technology, you can communicate with them very easily. Make a list of people who emotionally support you and keep in mind to call or text them from time to time. Stay away from negative people and those who practice toxic positivity. It’s important and okay to be picky about whom to contact right now.

Talk to a Professional

If you feel overwhelmed with everything going on, consider seeking professional help. It’s okay not to be okay at these times. They will give you the tools to deal with everything. Nowadays, you have the option to seek an online psychiatrist or therapist. If you click here, you can read about how online therapy sessions are conducted. Do your research and find a reliable psychiatrist that offers online therapy sessions. You should also read about the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist to determine which one you need.

Exercise and Meditate

Exercising relieves stress and releases the dopamine hormone, also known as the happy hormone. And it helps boost the mental and physical energy in our bodies. We currently have a lot of time in hand, and it’s the best way to kill time. Exercising will also help you sleep better. Meditating has similar benefits. It reduces stress and increases concentration. It also improves your self-esteem and makes you more self-aware. It can help you manage depression and anxiety, fight addiction, and control pain. Give meditation a try and see if it makes you feel better physically and mentally.

Eat Healthily

You hear a lot about the connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind. It has been proven to be true. Eating healthy food is a form of self-care because if you love yourself, you will take care of it. You might think that your bad moods and loneliness can only be healed by junk food. Well, junk food indeed makes you happy, but it’s a temporary high. Afterward, your energy levels are low again and you’re still hungry. Meanwhile, eating healthy will make you feel good and will maintain your mood stability.

Sleep Well

Adults are recommended to sleep 7-9 hours per night. Sleeping less or more has health risks. You might find yourself sleeping a lot because of all the free time that you have, or sleeping less because you’re anxious or just not tired enough to sleep. You can find different ways on the internet to sleep better. Sleeping better will make you more energetic and will improve your mood. You probably notice how grumpy you feel after oversleeping or not sleeping adequately.

Practice Gratitude

This can be considered a part of mindfulness and meditation. Sometimes things get too dark, and we forget the good things in life. During this time, it’s easy to feel at a loss. Practicing gratitude goes a long way. Pick a pen and paper, and write everything you’re thankful for. It could include your family, friends, job, partner, or anything you love. Nothing is too small or too big to be included on the list. Keep that list to read it whenever you’re feeling a bit down.

No matter what the situation is, mental health should be your priority. Remember that this pandemic won’t last forever, but its effect might get chronic. Seeking professional help, depending on each individual, might be crucial to soundly get through the current phase. So don’t hesitate to try therapy; it also sometimes helps to remind yourself that this is happening to all of us.