Taking care of your mental health

We are living in these uncertain times, It wasn’t that long ago when the new norm was staying home, and having to conform to a nighttime curfew, many people were and some still are out of work, kids were out of school, the whole world was on shut down due to the pandemic. We were told to stay 6 feet apart from each other, and the new form of socializing was by way of video chat, If we had to go out we were told to wear face coverings. So much has transpired in such a short period of time, there are some who are still trying to wrap their heads around all of it, and then there are others who just couldn’t quite take anymore so they decided to take their own lives because, for them, all of this was overwhelming

34- year old Daniel Furniss and 15- year old Jo’Vianni Smith, (nonrelated) decided that the pandemic was too much so they decided to take their life, I read through each article, and Daniel was said to be a big kid at heart, and Jo’Vianni was described as being bubbly, loving and light in this world to others but yet because of the overwhelming restrictions and the confines of the pandemic she was found at home where she hung herself.

I said that to say this, there are people who were and still are NOT OK….some of us are NOT OK, and we have friends and loved ones who may not be ok., We are in a time where like never before We need each other, there are many people who struggle with mental health, there are others who struggle with anxiety because for a long while lost control of our average day to day.

Some of us had to be a working parents, as well as teachers to our children, meanwhile keeping the house clean, maintaining bathtimes and bedtimes, and daily activities which can be overwhelming and cause us to feel stressed, these reactions are the very things that cause people to snap, it is important or rather imperative that we implement self-care and that we guard our minds as best we can from day to day,

Everything is still so different from the norm, many of us may at times feel angry, helpless, and sad and many of us don’t know what we feel or how to feel. I want you to know that it’s perfectly ok to feel that way, it’s called being human during a time of uncertainty.

For those of us who are struggling emotionally or mentally, I want you to know that you can choose how to respond to your feelings.

(Go outside) whether it be your backyard, a walk around the block or even outside your door just to breathe then do so, getting some fresh air and some quality time/alone time will do us some good

(do what feels safe)

Some of us are ok and happy about being able to freely go back into society, for others staying indoors is what feels most safe, be sure to go easy on how much of the media you let get into your heads, as, it’s not altogether good for your emotional wellbeing

(Stay connected)

I mentioned before, the social norm was and sometimes still is video chat, if you’re feeling overwhelmed pick up the phone, call someone who you know you can trust, sometimes we just need to talk, to express ourselves, our concerns or ours fears, reach out to people, it can be a comfort just to pick up the phone and connect with someone and say hey, this is how i’m feeling and i just needed to get some things off my chest,

Your mental health is Important please take care of it, we don’t know how long this pandemic will altogether last but until further notice, take care of yourself.

you are not alone we are all in this together.