In times of uncertainty, our emotions may be bouncing from “Hello darkness, my old friend” to “Celebrate good times, come on!” If your emotions fluctuate like this within 24 hours or even quicker, rest assured, you are not alone.
Negative social media content and the spread of misinformation doesn’t help ease our worry. What can we do to help ourselves stay positive, combat anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns? Rita Waggoner, PHP, Behavioral Health Care Management Social Worker, shares common signs of distress and helpful ways we can cope during times of unease.
Common Signs of Distress
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide a list of signs to be aware of:
- Feelings of numbness, disbelief, anxiety, or fear
- Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares and upsetting thoughts
- Headaches, body pains, and skin rashes
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Anger or short-temper
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Try These Helpful Activities
Try the activities below to keep your mind positive and focused, putting your mental health at the forefront.
- Go for a walk
- Ride a bike
- Meditate
- Take breaks
- Call an old friend, new friend, or family member
- Resume an old craft or begin a new one
- Donate financially or give needed items to a charitable organization of your choosing
- Avoid too much exposure to news or social media
When to seek additional help
For some, the activities listed above will help. For others, their feelings may be overwhelming and may require additional help. Indiana recently announced a new website aimed at helping individuals find appropriate mental health professionals in their community.
Be Well Indiana provides information and resources compiled by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction to help Hoosiers connect with people and resources to maintain their well-being.
The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services also has resources for Ohio residents on their site, mha.ohio.gov.
PHP values the importance of maintaining your well-being, both physically and mentally. You can learn more about how PHP prioritizes mental health here.