A few short weeks ago—weeks which have felt anything but short—the mental health community was focussed on informing people how best to take care while under quarantine. Now, with all 50 states easing restrictions to varying degrees, concern has shifted toward helping folks manage the anxiety of heading out into an unsafe world. For many, the turn-around has been dizzying.
Nearly all health officials warn that it is too early to reopen and yet economic and political pressures are elbowing their worries out of view. For those already struggling with the mental health consequences of the pandemic, it may feel as if fuel has been added to the fire. Adjusting to a socially distant present and uncertain future has sapped many of the resources needed for self-care and now being thrust into a premature reopening may feel like too much to handle. Here are a few tips to manage your mental health at this time.
3 Steps for Mental Health Maintenance in the Reopening
Know you’re not alone.
FOMO is real and with folks broadcasting their outings across social media it is easy to feel as if you’re the only one exercising caution. The impact of this dynamic on your mental health is three-fold: feeling as if you’re missing out is upsetting, seeing people act in ways you might find irresponsible is scary, and wrestling with whether your concerns are valid is exhausting. You are far from alone in these feelings. A recent poll found that 25% of people are afraid to go to the store and 15% are afraid to leave home.
If you are not ready to reopen, know that despite the impression social media and the news may give, many people feel the same exact way. Fewer people are out than you might imagine and nothing going on is more important than your well-being.
Take it day by day.
Hearing experts insist that it is too soon to reopen can provoke worried thoughts about the future. Frayed nerves make it challenging to control this impulse. When such thoughts invade, practice taking distance; notice what you are thinking and then remind yourself that your thoughts are more a measure of your anxiety than predictors of the future. The simple truth is that no one knows what the next months will bring.
Staying present helps mute anxiety-provoking thoughts and provides a greater sense of control over the here and now.
Mediate your media consumption.
Often, we try to calm our fears by binging on information. This only works when more information can solve the problem. Unfortunately, unless you’re a vaccinologist, the Covid-19 pandemic is not one of those times. As you weigh the risks of reopening, ensure your information comes from trusted sources such as the CDC or WHO. Avoid inflammatory outlets and limit time on social media.
If your anxiety ever leads you to thoughts of self-harm, don’t hesitate to seek help. If your concern is less urgent and yet you feel that your current mental health care regimen is not meeting your needs, consider talking to a healthcare professional about new strategies. Those who struggle with depression may be interested to hear about the extraordinary success of ketamine infusions in providing relief to those who have not found it elsewhere. If you would like to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact our clinic!
Contact VIP Ketamine Clinics
Please contact our Modesto, CA ketamine clinic for a free consultation, and to find out if you are a candidate for ketamine infusions. We look forward to supporting you on your journey to a better quality of life.