Quarantips: Tips on taking care of mental health during quarantine

Rose May Pimentel in Health

May 20, 2020 • 2 min Read

While it is also important to take care of our physical health, we must also not forget that our mental health is equally important. Research says that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its quarantine measures have negative psychological effects including stress and fear. Here are some important tips from Center for Disease Control and Prevention on taking care of your mental health:

* Take care of your body– Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

* Connect with others– Share your concerns and feelings with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system.

* Take breaks– Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try to do activities you usually enjoy.

* Stay informed– When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information like your local government authorities.

* Avoid too much exposure to news– Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.

* Seek help when needed– If distress impacts on activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counsellor, or doctor, or contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline (NCMH-USAP) at 0917-899-USAP (8727) or 7-7-989-USAP (827).

Remember: these are temporary measures and you are not alone. We are all in this together! Keep your mind healthy!