by Emily Celis, MS, LMFT
Things are tough! With so many transitions that everyone is experiencing right now because of Covid-19, it can feel really hard to keep up…and then you might find yourself having a day that feels like it has knocked you off your feet. That’s when it’s a good time to check in on your mental health and see how you’re doing. There are things you can do to help yourself right now. No, it probably won’t fix everything but it can help you gain a little bit of a higher ground.
And if you think you need more than this list, please reach out. We have an amazing and well trained group of therapists who are here to support you.
Here is our quick reference for some things that you can dig into right now to take better care of your mental health.
1. Be kind to yourself. That’s right. Gimme ONE compliment about yourself right now, GO! (I’m serious, I’d love to see this in the comments below)
2. Take care of your PHYSICAL body. Remember that song the hip bone’s connected to the leg bone, the leg bone’s connected to the foot bone, it’s the same with the mind and the body. Remember that when you’re putting food + drinks into your body and don’t forget to move!
3. Find Stillness. Stress and anxiety makes no room for stillness, yet stillness is going to be the very thing that holds the power for you to mentally slow down and start taking better care of yourself. Sometimes we really have to MAKE this one happen, no matter how hard.
4. Manage your stress. (This one holds the weight of 3 reasons!) A must-do in our fast paced world.
5. Shake things up. Routines are lifesavers and so helpful in limiting our stress but keeping things interesting and spicing things up in your schedule can do wonders. Drive home a different way, check out a new park or path to walk on, watch something you don’t normally watch, strike up a conversation about a topic you never thought you’d be interested in see where it takes you.
6. Limit alcohol and drugs (including caffeine). Sometimes we use these things to self-medicate, so check in with yourself on how you are doing in this area. Take a break or slow it down and see if this can give you more space for other habits that will help you long-term.
7. Set realistic goals + expectations. We all want to feel good by achieving something, but for those who tend to over-achieve, this one’s for you. Be gentle with yourself and set goals that are truly aligned with the lifestyle that you want, keeping in mind that you need down-time for your mental health as well.
8. Give of yourself. Focusing on how you can help another person not only shifts your mindset from problems you are experiencing but also leaves you feeling just plain better about the world in general. And while you’re at it, pick something that you feel is really meaningful. (And yes, there are still ways you can do this during this quarantine!)
9. Surround yourself with people who help you vibe higher. Ever heard that we vibrate on a continuum positivity being one end of the spectrum and negativity on the other. Take inventory and see where the people you spend your time with are vibrating and see what you can do to get yourself around those higher vibrations. It makes a difference.
10. Get help when you need it. Seeking support is a sign of STRENGTH, not weakness. S.A.G.E. was born to provide support – just for you – whether it’s a class or a service. We hope you’ll reach out and start yourself on the road to feeling more mentally healthy today.
