How’s Your Mental Health?

As this

pandemic stretches out, I find myself getting mentally tired.  ​

When getting ready for work in the morning I feel my anxiety rise wondering if I’ll be safe or will I succumb to this nasty virus and bring it home to my folks. I’m ready for some normalcy, if that still exists.

Yesterday while out on the road seeing patients, I had a anxiety attack and busted out crying.  I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me.  Then it hit me.  Stress.  All this stuff about the pandemic finally hit me.

When I got to a place where I could park, I bawled.  Wow, I guess I needed to relieve some  stress.  When I was done,  I mopped up my face with a Kleenex and then sent a text to my friends for prayer.  What amazing people in my life.  They text me back with encouraging words and prayers. God had my back!

I needed to get back on the road and see my patients.  So, I faced the rearview mirror, took a deep breath and spoke these words. “It’s going to be okay.  You can do this.”  I  breathed a prayer asking God for strength and peace.  Yes, I started to calm down.  I then turned  up the sound of the music and took off to my next patient.

All the prayers and support was HUGE to me.  I was able to see my patients and get through the day.

During this time of unknown, the stress and social distancing is taking a toll on our lives. Fear digs its fingers in us trying to drag us down with despair. How does one keep from getting depressed or having anxiety attacks?

Besides staying physically healthy, I’m finding that our mental health needs attention too, especially during this hard time.

Here are some tips you could try if you feel your anxiety start to rise.

1.  Stop.  Take a deep breath, in through the nose and out through the mouth.  This will help you to focus on your breathing, not on the negative thoughts.
2. Speak these words to yourself. “It’s going to be okay. I can do this.”
3. Prayer.  Ask God for strength and peace. Call your friends and family for encouragement and prayer.  DON’T FORGET YOUR PRAYER WARROIRS!

We must prevail even though the news is inundated with information about the virus and how the count is increasing. We praise our medical clinicians who are giving their all with the health care system being taxed to its limit.  We mourn the loss of so many precious lives to this ugly virus beast that rests heavy on us all.

The uncertainty of todays circumstances hovers over us while we try to make sense of this mess and attempt to dig our way out of the mire. When will we see the light at the end of the tunnel? Soon, I hope.

Here are some more suggestions on how to maintain our mental health.

In my spare time I have been writing letters and cards to family and friends. This allows me to send some cheer and encouraging words to those who are stuck home for the duration of this pandemic. This is always appreciated and hearing those words does my heart good.​

My church now has its sermons on-line. This has been great, because I feel weird not having my weekly dose of biblical teaching after years of going to church on Sundays. It gives me a sense that something is still normal even though it’s presented differently.

I try to limit how much news I take in per day and just get the pertinent information that is needed. Too much news causes my anxiety to rise.

Happy music. Lot’s of happy, uplifting music is like salve to my anxious soul. If you’re lucky, you might catch me dancing like a goof or singing into a hairbrush.​

But, the best thing is, REMEMER, we will get through this. This pandemic will end and we all will come out of it stronger. I am looking forward to being on the other side of this horrific time.

In the meantime, stay strong, check on your neighbors, send love to your friends and family via social media, mail or by voice. Remember you are not alone in this.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
—Deuteronomy 31:8

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
—Psalm 27:1

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
—Lamentations 3:22-23

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
—Psalm 46:1

 I would love to hear what you are doing to help boost your mental health. Send me a message. I too need more ideas to improve my mental health!

Stay safe and stay healthy,

Gwen