With the “Rona” or my friend “COVID” knocking at your door, the pressure of containing mental illness during this unprecedented time can be stressful. Living under the new conditions of quarantine and the “safer at home” rule may seem devastating towards a lot of Americans. The idea of cutting off social contact with friends and loved ones can cause tremendous repercussions to the mental health status of humans. We are social creatures by nature, and to limit social contact means dissociating from our fundamentals in being human. Although many Americans are now experiencing this grief and constant state of fear for the first time, to the pros, this isn’t something new. 

 

My two lifelong companions, Miss Generalized Anxiety disorder and Mr. Clinical Depression have always remained restless during difficult and tense moments. Some days I feel them poking out of the mental box I set aside for them. The feelings of isolation, the mental hurdles that can limit your physical abilities, and the fear of the unknown or the dangers of the outside world, are all concepts familiar to people living with depressive and anxiety disorders. With the new regulations of living at home for weeks ahead, the idea can be disastrous for a person like myself. It is as if it is a harmful mixture ready to erupt. However, as scary as it may seem, it is not impossible to find coping mechanisms and tactics on taming the beasts. After all, we are all struggling together to get through day by day, and perhaps the best way to deal with anxiety is to take the necessary steps one task at a time. So as an experienced professional in taming my inner the wild beasts, I have prepared some tips and tricks that I have found useful during my time with Miss Rona.

 

1. Do not sit in bed all day

This is one of the worst things anyone can do if you are living with depression or anxiety. Sitting in one spot all day can lead to unwanted feelings of regret and sadness because of the lack of inactivity in your life. One thing I noticed is that if your sitting and sleeping to cope with your unwanted sorrows, you are spending too much time with your mental beasts. Try and set a regimen or routine that is manageable to get yourself moving while gaining some type of control of your situation.

 

1. Exercise

Having a routine out of bed can lead to some form of exercise in the day. Adding a walk every morning or night can break away at the physical and mental stresses that have been eating up your time. It also releases endorphins that can alleviate these unwanted feelings of depression and anxiety. For me, doing some fun exercises like Zumba or yoga gives me a moment to let go of my stresses and focus on improving myself.

 

1. Eat healthy

Food is surprisingly connected to your mental health, and eating bad food can equal a bad mood. Don’t indulge in stimulants and depressants such as caffeine, alcohol, sweets, and junk foods. This can also lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression. Eat smart to cleanse your mind and body of unwanted substances.

 

1. Set some “me” time

Although I have said sitting and lying down all day can bring unwanted feelings, you shouldn’t keep yourself busy till exhaustion either. Setting some time for yourself to distract stressful stimulants can be an excellent coping mechanism. Try reading a book, drawing, or treating yourself for a movie night. This helps put your mind as ease instead of spiraling.

 

1. Avoid watching the news

Watching the news is food for Miss Anxiety and Mr. Depression. You don’t need to obsess about Miss Rona, for she is not leaving anytime soon. News programs are meant to inform the public of stressful issues because that is how they seek ratings. For a person living with anxiety, you do not need more stimulants to feed negative thoughts. You may update yourself on reliable sites such as the WHO or the CDC every so often during the week to check on Miss Rona, but limit yourself on how much information you intake to avoid more anxiety.

 

1. Have someone to talk to

Because we are social beings, having someone to share and talk to can be a great coping mechanism of your anxiety in quarantine. If your living with someone, confide in them to discuss your concerns or thoughts. If you are alone, call or video chat with someone. Sometimes you feel much better to dump out whatever is on your mind onto a friend or loved one. Who knows, maybe they are itching to release their thoughts on to you. 

 

1. Re-evaluate yourself.

If you are feeling down or having an attack, breathe and re-evaluate your mindset to regain control. Meditate for 10 mins while re-aligning your thinking. Question every negative thought with a rebuttal to a positive one. Comprise with yourself on how you can feel better. And when it can feel unmanageable, call a doctor, therapist, or friend to reach out and get the proper treatment needed for your anxiety or depression. 

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Article by Jazmin Castellanos