No one has been unaffected by the pandemic. Fear, anxiety, news, numbers… and even if all this does not touch you, just a change in our daily lives, along with lockdowns are enough to affect mental health.

First of all, it is important to remember that it is ok to feel strange about the whole situation and that each of us reacts differently to stressful situations. For some it is easier to manage the feelings of discomfort. Others have it more difficult. And that's okay.

The following tips can help your mental health during this time if you are worried about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communicate with your people

Maintaining close relationships with people you trust is paramount to your mental health. We all have a need to connect with other people, so keeping in touch with your loved ones and especially with people who are good for your psyche can be very helpful. There are several ways to connect. It can be a live meeting, or a phone call or a video call. Fortunately, social media is an opportunity for communication, but remember to avoid technology at bedtime.

Talk about your worries

The situation we are still in is unprecedented for all of us and feeling strange (to say the least) is perfectly normal. Sharing your worries, fears and anxieties with people you trust can be liberating, both for you and for them. If you feel that you do not have someone to talk to or if you tried and did not catch, then you can turn to a professional.

Support others

Helping someone helps you too. Understanding and feeling your neighbor's concerns is already a great way to show understanding and support. Think of simple things you can do to help those around you. Is there anyone, relative or friend, who needs support or company? If he does not stay near you, even one call is enough.

Take care of your body

Our mental health also has a huge impact on our physical health. If we do not feel well it is possible to roll into unhealthy habits, which in the long run will make us feel even worse.

Try to eat balanced meals, drink water and exercise regularly. Going for a walk and clearing your mind benefits the body and soul at the same time.

Stay in the facts

Much has been written and said about the evolution of the pandemic, but so much information can make it difficult for us emotionally. Choose a source of information that you trust and has scientific documentation and inform from there. Maybe it would help to reduce the time you spend listening, reading, watching and generally dealing with the pandemic.

Do things you enjoy

Feelings of anxiety, stress and worry can prevent us from doing things that we really enjoy, fill us with and bring us joy. Return to your favorite hobby, your relaxation, your exercise. Also, try to start something new, which will keep you creatively busy.

Focus on the present

Remembering to bring your thoughts back to the present and not focus on the future, which you cannot control, will be a lifesaver for your mental health. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation or breathing, and perhaps some videos or relaxing sounds can greatly help relieve stress.

Take care of your sleep

Good sleep quality makes a huge difference in physical and mental health. It is important to get adequate and quality hours of sleep. Avoid bedtime technology and reduce caffeine intake. If you work from home, avoid working in the bedroom and instead create a completely relaxing environment there, so that your brain can connect this room only with sleep.

We hope you find all of these useful and helpful. If you continue to have difficulty remembering that it is always ok to get help and you do not have to go through anything alone!