I feel like we’re all experiencing the part of I Am Legend where the entire world was experiencing a deadly-zombie-like pandemic and everyone was trying to get out of the country. Funny thing is, that part of the movie keeps happening over and over again but nobody is able to leave the country to escape Covid-19. It’s in every inhabited part of the world, and it’s numbers are only increasing as we wade through the second wave of this global pandemic. We’ve been through a few epidemics, but never a global pandemic that killed 1.13 Million people. Some states are increasing in Covid cases, but even more deaths due to underlying health issues predominantly in under-serving communities.
It’s been 217 days since life in this country halted and began speeding down a 97 mph roller coaster at the same time. As a whole, mental health has taken a hit as a result of our society that’s notoriously overbuying toilet paper and living in a pandemic-election craze.
It’s not natural for people to be cooped up in their houses for months at a time. Unfortunately, we’ve all been forced to become hermits, watching other countries slowly peek from under their shells and resume “regular” life. The summer was gone in a beach-less flash for the smart bunch, while the YOLO crew rented boats and threw parties in corona hotspots with no masks in sight. Reminder: wearing a mask under your chin or under your nose is about effective as wearing a condom with a hole in it.
So, what does this all mean for our mental health, you may ask? I could just say “we’re sick and tired of being sick and tired” but then this article would be over before it even begins. I’ve found some “essential” tips that are going to make these last few months of 2020- at the height of a second wave and an election that’s got more flies swarming on its contenders than a sidewalk on trash day- not necessarily better but…easier.
- Journaling
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It doesn’t have to be written in a frilly, sticker clad book, even an old composition book is good enough. Mine, on the other hand, is hand painted on the front and has mementoes glued on every page from trips I took before the pandemic. Write whatever you want, what you did for the day and/or what you ate. I even write out lyrics to my favorite songs and small drawings to fill in spaces between writing.
- Make a Playlist
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Music during this time has been extremely beneficial, and I couldn’t imagine my life without it. It doesn’t matter if the playlist is thirty minutes or seven hours long, it’s worth making one or many. Choose artists from different genres to put into your playlist. I have a playlist for almost every mood and a playlist I specifically play at night before I fall asleep. As we’re all mostly still in higher education, Apple Music offers up to 48 months of discounts for any student studying at a degree-granting university. Spotify also offers the same including a HULU and Showtime subscription for only $4.99/ per month after 1 month FREE!
- Prayer and Meditation
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I recently talked to a few of my friends and they all said they’d been reading their own religious books, utilizing prayer, and some even meditating. All are useful tools to ease any tension and keep a secure balance in these uncertain times. While enhancing your spiritual side, light candles or incense. My favorite candle is from the Yankee Candle brand in the scent Vanilla Cupcake, the 3.7 oz is available for $11 at https://www.yankeecandle.com/product/vanilla-cupcake/_/R-1093709
- Mental Health Apps
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During the beginning of quarantine, I searched up a few mental health apps and one in particular I stuck with. MindDoc is an easy-to-use app that helps aid in a better understanding of one’s mental health. Everyday at specific times, questions are asked to compile a “file” of your daily moods. After each month, your answers are tallied up and you’re given an analysis of your mental health and resources to help. A hotline is also available around the clock, and if needed a licensed therapist can be made available to you. The app is mostly free but a full subscription can be purchased to unlock even more resources and courses to help aid in depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
- More Reading and Less Social Media
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I’m sure we can all say that social media has become more of a vice than a means to stay connected with friends and family when it isn’t always possible, but recently it’s been bombarded with endless coverage about Covid-19, the November election, and police brutality around the nation. Now more than ever, is the time to unplug and logout. Too much screen time isn’t good for the brain and eyesight. Reading a good book is always a great way to unwind your mind. I’ve been reading The Sun and Her Flowers authored and illustrated by Rupi Kaur. It’s a beautiful collection of poetry that’s perfect for anyone just getting into the genre or even more seasoned poetry readers.
So there you have it! Yes, we’re still stuck in our homes until whenever this second wave dies down, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn more about ourselves as college students, working women, and future leaders of this new world. During this time, find things about yourself you’ve never known before. Now, more than ever, is the time to unlearn bad habits and create new ones that will help aid in your new “normal.” Take the initiative to make plans for the future, even though it might not look too bright.