Ways to Maintain Mental Health during a Pandemic

The increasing number of COVID-19 cases around the world has had a major impact on economic conditions. As a result, many workers experience grief and uncertainty in their jobs. According to the COVID-19 Job Report released by JobStreet last August, 55% of workers participating in the survey best medical billing software for mental health have experienced a pay cut since the pandemic began . They can't work full time so 66% are worried about their finances, while 55% are worried about whether they can still have a job.

Stress, fear, and worry can affect you, whether you're still working or in the middle of a career switch. These factors are the reasons behind the increasing number of mental health issues. Even though the effects of this pandemic are out of control, you can take care of your mental health with these 5 steps.

1. Make a schedule.

Routines can help you have something stable in the midst of these chaotic situations. Try to get up at the same time every day. Even if you work from home (WFH), wearing nice clothes can give you energy and confidence. Eat a nutritious breakfast for energy. If you want to manage your time effectively, try planning weekly goals and making a daily schedule to achieve them. However, remember that while getting work done does give you satisfaction, rest is just as important. A good work schedule is one that balances work, relaxation, exercise, and learning new skills.

1. Contact loved ones.

Take care of your relationship with others while still implementing physical distancing . When you're done with a meeting, you can email, call, or use social media to communicate with friends and family. Try new ways of interacting. For example, playing online games or “sharing” snacks and coffee via video. You can lighten the mental load by realizing that you are not alone; there's someone else for you to lean on.

1. Exercising.

Choose a range of sports that match your needs and interests. You can also combine several sports as you like. On the internet there are so many examples of exercise sequences that you can be sure to find one you like.

In addition to physical health, regular exercise can improve mood by increasing endorphins: hormones that are useful for reducing stress and depression. Physical activity can also reduce stress because it trains the brain and body to deal with stress itself. Exercise increases energy and cognitive thinking skills, so you can have better memory and focus. Sleep quality is also very influential, so it's a good idea to avoid exercising at night so it doesn't interfere with your sleep schedule.

1. Try to relax.

Self-care is a form of self-discipline. If watching the news constantly stresses you out, take a break. You don't always have to know everything that's going on around the world.

After work, resist the urge to immediately hold your cell phone and open social media. Rest your eyes (and mind) by listening to music, reading a book, or getting some light exercise. Set aside time to do your hobby. Activities like that are what make your daily life more enjoyable. So, don't leave it.

Don't look at the monitor screen when it's time to go to bed so that your rest time is quieter. You can try meditation to relieve stress, or keep a journal to write down the little things, no matter how small, that have made your day better.