Conquering Confinement

Awareness of mental health and its importance has been on the rise. We continuously hear calls for mental health awareness and care, especially after multiple crises – from school shootings to the opioid epidemic to suicide increases and now the COVID-19 pandemic. The question is, what are you truly doing to support your own peace of mind and those who are quarantined with you? Usawa Wellness Services is prepared to see clients via TeleMental Health, all you need is your computer or telephone that has an internet connection. If you are unable to see a counselor, there are many things to do at home to reduce some of the collective anxiety we are all experiencing.

These are tense times where our routines have changed tremendously and change can create stress. These changes have forced twists into our habits but attempting to maintain some routines can truly make a difference in how stress affects us. If you were accustomed to exercising at a particular time, keep that same time for an at-home workout. That workout may now include kids, or possibly pets, or simply be a walk around the neighborhood. Exercise can increase your endorphins (natural hormones) for a feel-good boost. Increased mobility of joints and muscles through yoga or pilates would be ideal and some cable programs have free on-demand beginner to specialty demonstrations. If that is not a possibility simple stretch breaks can be helpful.

Look Online For Free Resources

You can also find many free programs on YouTube or Vimeo. Speaking of internet videos, keeping your mind occupied by learning new tasks can help you redirect stress and anxiety to a productive new recipe, learning new skills, or simply learning about the world. Wisely choosing what you learn contributes to your mental health – opt for positive learning and leave videos of conspiracy theories and constant breaking news to a minimum.

Choose balanced information from multiple sources and consider that your world is what you can do in the here and the now.

Eat Healthy, Get Enough Exercise

That here and now should involve healthy and well-balanced food choices. It is easy to derail into the “COVID-15,” the extra 15 lbs. that we can add while being required to stay or work from home. Those healthy foods can elevate mood and be an opportunity for family interaction, division of work, and consistency as we adapt to a “new normal.”

Taking care of our bodies is also taking care of our minds. Creativity in our approach leads to new routines to practice, such as meditation or deep-breathing exercises. The extra oxygen to our brains by breathing through our nose and engaging in deep “belly breathing” helps to temper negative emotions.

You have probably heard of all of these suggestions in the past to help reduce your stress and pump up your well-being. What you choose to do will be up to you and even if you can’t reach that perfect routine, or learn that new skill, the most important suggestion is to be kind to yourself. Changing or adding routines, especially when it involves those you are self-isolating with, is difficult. Reach out to others virtually, connect in ways you hadn’t before, and share with others. If the pandemic crisis continues and becomes too much, Usawa Wellness Services is available. 

If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help for yourself, your friends, your family, or your students.

Resources

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES—911

If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) OR LIVE ONLINE CHAT

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.

Viky Garcia is located in Laredo, Texas but is part of our Live Oak team. She will be available for Spanish-speaking counseling via TeleMental Health for Texas residents. Viky is supervised by Corrina Herrera, LPC-S.