How to Stay Sane During Hard Times

As we all know, during this pandemic, mental health is a huge area of concern for us all. We could all use some advice and mental health tips to give us some much-needed direction.

This has been quite a stressful ordeal for all of us. We’ve all had to deal with the stress, strain, discomfort, and pure horror of all that has occurred during this trying time.

These disheartening circumstances stem from all the craziness associated with this chaotic time…everything from lockdowns and quarantines to severe illness and losing loved ones has taken a tremendous toll.

Depression is at an all-time high for so many people. The suicide rate has gone up as well. We are all in dire need of help, coping strategies, and some extra self-love tips to assist us on how to best navigate this difficult time.

The following are 5 mental health tips and coping strategies to help us manage stress and anxiety and keep our sanity during this pandemic.

Mental Health Tips During the Pandemic

1. Go Out in Nature

During this time of lockdowns and quarantines, things have not been easy. Fortunately, many of the restrictions have been eased and the limitations are not quite so strict. But many of us are still limiting our movement and are choosing to not go out as much and to stay home a great deal more in order to be safe.

In order to limit the effects of boredom, depression, and anxiety from being inside all the time, it’s important to still get out and explore in different ways. One of the best ways to combat and stave off boredom and depression is to go out in nature.

Going out in nature provides a great change of scenery and allows you to get some much-needed sun and fresh air.

Studies have shown that sun and fresh air greatly improves our mood and outlook. In addition, the change of scenery helps provide us with a fresh view that improves and enhances our perspective. For best results go out during times when fewer people are out.

2. Exercise

Another tried and true way to boost mental health is exercise. Exercise is also a great way to stay mentally well and sane during the pandemic and in general.

For an added benefit, exercise in nature. Choose whatever activities you like and enjoy. You could ride your bike outside, take a jog around the block, go swimming, or do some jumping jacks or yoga in the park.

There are so many activities you can do. Just do what you enjoy and what makes you feel your best.

On top of being a great stress reliever, it has been scientifically proven that exercise is a great, natural mood booster. When you get your heart rate up, those feel-good endorphins increase throughout your body and help to keep your serotonin levels raised.

So exercise as much as possible. Your body and your spirit will thank you. An added bonus is that it helps to improve insomnia.

3. Keep Close Contact With Family and Friends

Having a support group is very important during these crazy times. We all need people to lean on and to be there for us. Support and being able to vent is very important and even therapeutic.

Additionally, research has shown that frequently communicating with others and having a support system is a necessary human necessity. The benefits not only improve our mood and serotonin levels but also prolongs our life expectancy.

If you don’t have much family or friends, you can always join an online support group.

4. Be Creative

Having a creative outlet during this time is very important. Creativity is a well-known documented form of therapy.

It helps us to stay positive and to keep our minds busy and focused on something that we enjoy rather than the chaos going on around us. Take up a new craft or hobby. You can write poetry, learn to knit, take up sewing, or possibly painting.

Just have fun and be as creative as possible. This will make you happy and boost your mood and help you to focus your thoughts on something positive.

5. Declutter

As we all know, we have all been spending a great deal more time inside. So, it’s important that we keep our inside space as inviting as possible.

It’s a good idea to update the space often and to play around with the colors and design. Feng shui is a great philosophy to take up during this time.

A space that is constantly being refreshed and updated will help us to keep a fresh perspective and will help to keep depression at bay.

6. Take a Course to Improve Your Situation

Despite all of the drawbacks to the pandemic, it is an amazing time to improve your overall situation. There are legions of online courses in areas ranging from job certifications, business, cooking, and general self-improvement.

Many people have been able to take courses that have allowed them to transition to a new career or start a new business. Seize the day and use it to propel your life forward into something new and better!

While this time has been rough on all of us, take advantage of it! Use the downtime to make your life better!

Summing Up

As we all know, the pandemic has not been easy. And while there are so many drawbacks to this situation, there are definitely ways to protect our mental health and to be as well as we possibly can.

It is also evident that we can use this time to improve ourselves and our lives. Remember life is more about how we react to our obstacles and setbacks more so than the actual circumstances.

My hope and prayer is that you all would use these mental health tips to not only survive the pandemic but thrive through the pandemic as well.

I urge you…go forth and be great!

What was your favorite one of these mental health tips? Do you all have other mental health tips that are keeping you sane during this time?

Comment below.

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