COVID-19: Protecting your Mental Health

20 May COVID-19: Protecting your Mental Health

We have been called to shelter in place and this is just another term for isolation… if we fail to take in the consideration of how important it is for us to ask for help and reach out. Isolation has been thought of as one of the largest precursors for major depression and other harmful behaviors.

It is no wonder that the rates of suicide, domestic violence, child abuse, substance use, and alcohol use have dramatically increased. We need each other more than ever, and now that we have so much more time on our hands, the thoughts and emotions we have tried to bury by “going and going and never stopping” are coming to the surface.

I encourage you to R.E.A.C.H O.U.T:

R- rest and relax using mindfulness tools and techniques

E- eat healthy for nourishment, not for emotional comfort

A- ask for help

C- have Compassion for yourself, have you ever been in a pandemic before? I didn’t think so…

H- have Hope; this too shall pass, it is not permanent

O- Offer help for others, it has been known to boost immunity by the satisfaction of helping others in need

U- Utilize your coping skills, what activities have you not had time for in the past? Get back into some of those old hobbies you used to love to do- cooking, painting, gardening, etc, or try a new hobby!

T- take the Time for yourself to grow- this pandemic also has been looked at as time for the world and nature to heal… that’s including you! Perhaps, this might be the perfect time to finally get mental health therapy. I can help and point you in the direction of resources that can make this time so much easier!

Namaste, everything will be alright.

Patricia Bianca Torres, LMFT#105942

EMDRIA Approved Consultant