It’s five months into the pandemic and suddenly you or someone you know has contracted the coronavirus.
Figuring out how and where it was contracted, wondering if others you know are sick and the impending doom of at least two weeks in isolation are likely a few of the many thoughts you’ll have.
According to Mental Health America, “As the number of cases of COVID-19 increases, so does the associated anxiety,” and with 1 in 5 Americans dealing with preexisting mental health conditions and 1 in 2 Americans at risk for developing them, the mental health effects of the virus are just as crucial to address as physical symptoms.
I contracted the virus roughly one month ago and became a statistic along with more than 16,000 others in Santa Clara County and almost 6 million in the U.S alone.
While I was fortunate enough to see the outside world through my bedroom window and not a hospital bed, being in isolation did not come without its fair share of sadness, loneliness and paranoia.
And for friends I know who have tested positive for COVID-19, depression-like symptoms have been a recurring theme.
Fortunately, there are things we can do during this time to boost our mental well-being, especially if you or someone you love tested positive.
TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF
Once you test positive for the virus, it might be safe to say your brain is spinning with thoughts like “who gave it to me?” and “have I infected others?”
It’s easy to get lost in paranoid thoughts. Regardless, it does not eliminate the fact that you’re already sick.
You can’t change a positive test result, but you can change your outlook on it.
Start by logging off social media and limiting your access to news outlets. Yes, I see the irony of a student newspaper telling you to stop looking at the news.
But the reality is, any excess of social media and news will only contribute to the guilt you’re likely already feeling.
According to HelpGuide, an online platform dedicated to self-help tools, spending too much time engaging with social media can make you feel more lonely and isolated and magnify symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.
A study conducted in Germany for the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience found a correlation between stress levels and social media during the pandemic, “probably due to an elevated stress level induced by a flood of unfiltered information and a more emotional style of communication.”
So instead, take this moment to step away from all of the opinions that might contribute to a negative mindset and instead use the extra time to indulge in things that make you happy.
Whether it’s a blank canvas you have yet to paint, a book that has been sitting on your shelf for some time or even that Netflix show that’s been in your list for a year, disconnecting from your phone and putting that energy into pleasurable pursuits can help you rediscover some meaning.
With the extra time on your hands in quarantine, it’s important to take care of your physical body, because the inside is fighting a battle.
A good way to start is by maintaining physical hygiene and taking a hot shower or bath regularly. It’s a good way to let your thoughts run freely and you’ll come out refreshed. Just because no one is seeing you (or smelling you) doesn’t mean it won’t do you good.
Investing in a good skin care routine is also a great way to boost your self-esteem.
Take a chunk out of your morning and night to cleanse your skin well and apply your favorite serums and moisturizers. Make it a goal to come out of isolation with your skin glowing.
Physical activity when your body is physically reeling from the virus sounds contradictory. But doing simple bodily tasks can help you feel better. Easy things like stretching or light yoga can aid in reconnecting your mind with your body.
While it might be easy to stuff the junk food down your throat, remind yourself that food is fuel. The better you eat, the easier it will be for your body to fight off the virus and the more you will strengthen your mental health.
However, if your symptoms were anything like mine, being able to taste might be out the window.
According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, supplements to consider while battling COVID-19 include zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D. But as always, it is important to see your personal health care provider for a more personalized approach and better understanding of which nutrients your body lacks.
Finally, make sure you stay connected with friends and family. This period of loneliness during quarantine is unprecedented. Call your loved ones anytime you’re feeling alone and in need of conversation.
Our minds can be overwhelming, but remind yourself that you are not your thoughts and feelings; they are only a small fraction of who you are.
TAKING CARE OF OTHERS
While it might be easy to blame them, the reality is the virus is invisible and spreads fast. Your loved one is likely already experiencing regret among many other negative emotions and it’s important not to contribute to this by gaslighting or guilt-tripping them further.
Instead, express acts of kindness like sending care packages to their doorstep. Since they can’t go out and get what they might need, giving them a basket of these goodies will make all the difference.
Include their favorite snacks, vitamins and supplements like melatonin to help them sleep better and fever or pain reducers like Tylenol and ibuprofen. Items like tea, Pedialyte and soup might also be beneficial.
You know them best, so include small items you know will make them happy with a handwritten “get well” note.
You might also consider giving them a humidifier to help your loved one breathe easier.
Grocery shopping is out of the picture for your loved one and they might run out of food while in a two-week isolation. Check-in with them and opt for treating them to a meal via no-contact delivery services like DoorDash or UberEats.
Finally, just let them know you’re thinking of them during what is likely a tough time mentally and emotionally. Share your favorite uplifting playlists with them or watch movies together through the Netflix Party web extension.
You can even try to connect them with others you know who have experienced COVID-19, because all stories of encouragement can help their mental well-being.
Whether you or someone you know has been personally affected by the virus, this historic period does not come without its mental hardships. Compassion for ourselves and others is essential for getting through these incredibly taxing times.
