Tips to Manage your Mental Health and Well-being during the Pandemic

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or anxious in the midst of a trying situation like a pandemic. You’ll find yourself constantly overthinking about what is currently happening and what is yet to come. In dealing with this, it’s important to first put a focus on yourself and how you’re feeling. Validate your feelings and make sure to tell yourself that it’s okay to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. As you’re encountering these things, do know that you’re not alone. We’re also here for you, and we hope that these tips can help you manage your mental health and well-being at the moment.

Create a routine

The Coronavirus Pandemic has changed our lives dramatically. It affected how we work, play and learn: Schools are closing, sports leagues have been canceled, and many people have been asked to work from home. These sudden changes and the uncertainty of the future can cause you to overthink your situation and during this time, the best way to keep yourself from drifting away and be consumed by your worries is to create something familiar–a new routine. If you’re currently working at home, it would be great to create a clear distinction between work and non-work time, ideally in both your physical workspace and your head space. For instance, you can take breaks in between your work to help you maintain your clarity of thought. Spend these short breaks stretching, talking to friends, or watching short clips that you find entertaining.

Don’t beat yourself up for not being productive all the time

There is no pressure to come out of this situation writing a full novel, speaking 3 new languages, launching a new business, learning how to cook a full course French meal, and having lost weight. Sometimes, you just need to relax, and then relax again. Now repeat this inside your head: that’s okay. That is really, really okay.

Get out of your PJs and dress up

Yes, it IS very tempting not to change in the morning if you know you’re not going anywhere but putting on fresh clothes or even fancier outfits that you’ve recently purchased online and can’t wait to wear when it’s okay to hang outside again–these things can certainly help you get a more positive mindset. While at it, fix your hair and put on some makeup. Never mind that no one will see you; you’re rolling up for YOURSELF, after all. Also, getting out of your PJs helps to create a mental difference between the time to be awake and the time to go to bed. Think about it: if you’re dressed for bed, your brain will immediately think it’s bedtime! No wonder you’re so sleepy during the daytime!

Create a tranquil workspace

While many people thrive in upbeat environments, others work best in more relaxing and tranquil spaces. If you’re someone who leans towards the latter, you can try to optimize your workspace to make it a more relaxing place for work, helping you reduce your stress triggers and increasing your productivity. Get rid of the clutter, invest in a really comfortable chair, add some plants and other greens to the space, tweak your lighting–think of elements that will make you happy. An element that you probably won’t hear a lot of people telling you to have, though, is noise. Working in a completely silent area can be quite distracting for some people, so adding in a little noise can help. Some people enjoy music, while others may enjoy the simplicity of flowing water or even wind chimes (by the way, the Nalulu Wind Chimes are great because they’re sustainable, they will help you support local artisans from Indonesia, and they are really effective in helping you relax!)

How are you holding up during this time? We hope that you’re safe and well. Let’s believe that this pandemic will pass in the near future, and we can look forward to resuming our lives again. Stay tranquil and positive!

The tips and advice here are simple things to help you cope while you’re staying at home. Make sure that you get further support and expert help if you feel that you need it.