Mind your mental health during Covid-19

Mind your mental Health during Covid-19

The epidemic has caused a lot of troubles to our lives, we should not ignore its impact on our mental health, this blog will tell you the scientific and effective ways to keep our mental health

Part 1： Why should you mind your mental Health 

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the huge costs of the virus go far beyond the physical. Because people stay home too long, the toll on our mental health from losing support networks, contact with family and friends, and the daily structure of work and study have been profound. Plans, hopes and dreams have been postponed, leaving us in limbo, and the economic fall-out from the pandemic is sure to bring uncertainty and struggle to millions of lives. 

One poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that nearly half of Americans said the crisis was harming their mental health - if so, there is a danger that one of the biggest threats to quality of life and well-being may be going unheeded.

• More than half of all students (56%) said they were “moderately,” “very,” or “extremely” worried about their mental health.

   

• Half of all students reported experiencing anxiety, one third reported experiencing depression, and almost a quarter said they knew of someone with suicidal thoughts since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Not only students, but people of different ages are affected by the epidemic.There is no delay in paying attention to our mental health. Here are some of the most effective ways to overcome the psychological problems of the epidemic at home.

Part 2: How to avoid that coronavirus cabin fever

Some effective ways to overcome mental health problems

      1）Make a future plan

Over-thinking leads to negative thoughts.But it's also scary to have no goals. People who think too much, because the epidemic at home let him have a lot of time alone, so a lot of ideas comes out. People realize that there are a lot of things to do and heavy future pressures, but they can't solve them right away.

For those who don't have a clear goal, the impact of being home alone can make many people lose their morale, but later3 they regret having wasted the day and not doing anything about it. These lead to a lot of anxiety. 

 The best way to solve this problem is to make a plan. You can make either a short-term plan (like a week or a month) or a long-term plan. This will help you relieve anxiety and become a better person. If you don't know how to do it, the following website can help you.

Useful website: How to Plan For a Successful Future

      2) Proper exercise

Research has also shown that after 20 or 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins that interact with receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain—meaning you're more likely to feel positive and upbeat during a tough workout. It also releases other mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that can stick around in your brain for a couple of hours after you exercise. 

1. Try exercise classes online
2. Dance to music
3. Play active video games
4. Try skipping rope
5. Do some muscle strongth&balance training

Useful website: 

  3) Maintain a good parent-child relationship

For adolescents, the epidemic has reduced the physical distance between parents and children, but not the psychological distance. The fact that children and parents spend all day together during an outbreak greatly increases the likelihood of friction and conflict. And for some younger children, they may feel frustrated because they can't go outside to play and don't quite understand what's going on outside.

 Here are some tips for parents 

 1. Be Yourself

Deal with your anxiety and negative emotions correctly

In the current epidemic, parents are under more pressure than usual as they juggle work and family chores and supervise their children's school life. In this case, it is inevitable for parents to have bad emotions and anxiety.

When parents feel bad emotions, first of all, they should be aware of the source of the emotions, whether the bad emotions really only come from the children, whether they are caused by work or with their partners. Then try to find ways to adjust.

 2. Respect your children

give them less control and more time and space

In the face of the epidemic, parent-child tension is also closely related to parents wanting to control their children but feeling out of control. In the process of parent-child interaction, parents often play an authoritative role with blurred boundaries, demanding their children according to their own will, and trying to control their children's life.

In fact, it is suggested that parents try to truly respect their children, respect their independence and psychological needs, and leave some time and space for their children.

3. Strengthen parent-child communication

The core of parent-child communication is the flow and connection of emotions. Therefore, the premise of communication is trust and acceptance, otherwise it will be ineffective communication and even lead to conflict. You can understand and accept some of the children like games and animation, and children will have a common topic.

Secondly, communication channels can be expanded. Communication is not limited to chatting, but also some family games can be organized. In the process of activities, there is not only communication and occasional physical contact, but also, to some extent, emotional connection can be achieved. Such emotional communication is not only natural, but also efficient.It can also be useful for younger children, because effective communication allows them to understand what's going on in the outside world.

Useful website 

How to talk to your child about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

 How to protect your family’s mental health in the face of COVID-19

87 family activities to help you avoid coronavirus cabin fever

    4) Social contact is important

If your movements are restricted, keep in regular contact with people close to you by telephone and online channels. Since the pandemic began, more than half of all students (55%) have offered support to a friend whom they thought might be struggling

While nearly half (49%) have had a friend reach out to them. 72% of students reported feeling hopeful or supported when their friend does reach out.