These days a lot of us are feeling blah or blue because of the pandemic. Can therapy help with your mental health and coping during COVID-19?
The isolation and restrictions that have resulted from the COVID pandemic can take an emotional toll. How do you know if therapy can help? Certainly, if you have experienced major loss of any kind during the pandemic, it may be helpful to process these events and the underlying emotions they trigger.
For some, the pandemic’s effects on daily life have resulted in increased anxiety or even depression. This is understandable. We are living in a reality where - due to the lack of distractions - we may be confronted with parts of ourselves that are normally out of view. Old feelings that are maladaptive have more space to breath when we feel limited in our ability to connect with others.
If you feel as if your suffering is preventing you from functioning, or even from experiencing moments of peace and joy in daily life, it may be time to seek help.
Mindfulness meditation is also very therapeutic. It trains our minds to be calm and increases focus and attention.
Increase family activities in the same household – games, cooking together, prayer, watching movies. Feeling connected to those we love can insulate us from depressive feelings.
Video gatherings with friends can also help us feel connected and energized
Try to get outside. Vitamin D is strongly linked to mood improvement. 30 minutes a day is ideal but even 15 minutes can help.
Exercise – Even a 30-minute daily walk is tremendously beneficial.
Want to learn more? Contact me to ask any further questions about how COVID-19 can affect your mental health and how you might benefit from individual therapy.
