4 Easy Ways to Kick-Start Your Post COVID Mental Health Recovery

May is Mental Health Month, so let’s talk about mental health. Specifically, the effects of COVID-19 on global and your mental health, and how we can recover post-pandemic. Before we look at possible solutions, we need to take a closer look at the issue. Here’s what astounded me.

In 2019, 1 in 10 adults reported having challenges with mental health that included depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sleeping disorders, and general stress. Today, it is reportedly 4 in 10 adults or 47 million Americans who are suffering. Some are suffering so much that they are taking their own lives. And I don’t know about you, but I believe that is a terrible thing to waste.

When I first read these statistics, I was alarmed. Imagine this. There are five families of four, living adjacent to your home. Given the current statistics, it would mean that 8 out of the 20 people who live closest to you have mental health issues of some sort.

Maybe you know of whom I speak. Perhaps you don’t. Many who suffer, suffer in silence because they don’t want to seem weak or small or burden anyone else.

Those at Risk

At significant risk are those who were receiving mental health treatment prior to the Pandemic, and particularly those who were in in-patient care. In many cases, psychiatric care facilities and treatment centers discharged their patients to continue care as an outpatient. Many of those facilities were then used for COVID-positive patients.

That sounds nice in theory, but here’s what happened. Those with mental illness before the Pandemic faced disruption of treatment, disruption of medications, and loss of lifeline support services, which set them back in their progress. Distancing and face masks caused many to be stressed, and the mental health care they received previous to COVID stopped being face to face entirely.

The second group most at risk for mental health challenges due to Pandemic are the front-line workers. Their risks include suicide attempts and extreme burnout. They suffer from depression, insomnia, distress, and loneliness. Globally, nearly 45% of health care workers report psychological effects from the trauma.

The third group at risk are patients and families of health care workers. They have experienced fear, anxiety, uncertainty, depression, separation, and grief as never before.

The fourth group is the elderly population, especially those with dementia. These individuals have suffered from isolation and loneliness due to the extreme lock-down measures required to protect them from the virus. As a result, many have experienced cognitive decline, reduced physical activity, reduced mental stimulation, and limited access to regular care. In these situations, the effects are most likely irreversible.

The fifth group is young adults.  This population is experiencing high levels of fear and anxiety. Many can’t find jobs, while others have lost jobs. Most never received the recognition they deserved upon graduating from high school or college – leaving them feeling deflated, unsettled, fearful, and unmotivated.

The final group is grade school children and the group, in my opinion, who is at the highest risk. Due to confinement, limited social interaction, and a two-dimensional learning environment, these children have missed out on an integral part of their emotional and social development. I’m seriously concerned about the long-term impact the Pandemic will have on our children, ages 6 through 16. Throughout this past year, we have seen children experiencing mental fatigue and anguish symptoms, which manifests through a lack of concentration, increased irritability, restlessness, and nervousness.

Healing from the Pandemic Trauma

No one knows how long the repercussions of the Pandemic will last. Some say it could be three years; others believe longer. I believe we can take measures now to help us minimize and recover faster. Here are four things that are working well for me as I work to regain my own personal power-post Pandemic.

1. Self-Care – Taking time for yourself is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Find an activity that fills your heart. It may be singing, dancing, walking through the woods, laying the grass with the sun shining down on your face. Whatever it may be, do it!
2. Patience – Challenge yourself to be more patient with yourself first and everyone else second. It doesn’t mean lower your expectations. What it does mean is recognize that those around you are doing the best they can, given the extraordinary circumstances and their emotional side effects.
3. Check your story at the door. – We all hold stories about life, relationships, and the world. Most of those stories are no longer credible in our current environment. To heal faster from the Pandemic trauma, you must let go of your old stories and be open to writing new ones.
4. What worked in the past will not work now or in the future. – It’s time to update your systems and processes for getting things done through people. It requires greater acknowledgment, kindness, understanding, and clarity of communication to propel you forward.

Clearly, we must take care of our mental health before it becomes a significant issue. To help you start that process, I also suggest reading my book, Emotional Self Mastery, The Best Book on Regaining Personal Power, Self-Confidence, and Peace. In it, you will find 12 techniques to help you regain your objectivity and emotional control. It’s a fast, easy to read resource.

I wish you perfect mental and physical health.