2020 is a year that no one will ever forget, sadly, mainly because of negative reasons. March 2020 saw the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in most parts of the world, with that came a radical change in everyone’s life, but that change didn’t come alone, a lot of fear and uncertainty came with it, as well as more free time than usual, but with limited access to safe activities to keep busy due to social distancing. Mental health and COVID-19 are related in more ways than you imagined.
Signs of stress began to appear in households, especially in the population with prior mental illness and other mental health conditions. Some of the signs included: a change of mood, lack of sleep, physical aches, loss of appetite, or even an increase of appetite that in some cases led to the excessive use of substances such as alcohol and tobacco, all of that causing the alarming increase of depression and anxiety cases in a short period of time.
A study by the National Center for Health Statistics released shocking information showing that between the months of April and June of 2019, depression and anxiety symptoms were present in 11 percent of Americans, but, exactly one year later, the number increased to 35.6 percent. It became a truly alarming issue, so health authorities, experts on the subject, and people in general began to recommend activities that helped bring stress levels down and, at the same time, bring us closer together, even though physically we had to maintain a safe distance.
By the beginning of summer, in July 2020, while we learnt how to navigate this strange new path, those alarming numbers began to decrease, people listened to the recommendations from the health authorities and adopted them into their lifestyles.
What Are the Recommended Activities to Deal with Stress?
To avoid long term conditions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) highly encourages people to adopt a healthy lifestyle that even in difficult times is possible to achieve if you follow their recommendations.
Here is a list of some of the best ways to improve mental health during COVID-19:
Disconnect Yourself from the Outside World
The origin of the stress is the fear caused by COVID-19, so, even though being well informed is extremely important, taking a few breaks during the day from the news, articles, and social media will feel really relieving! Because receiving disturbing news all day may get depressing.
Keep a Healthy Body
The lack of time is no excuse! Exercise, meditate, cook healthy meals, and get a good night’s sleep. Physical movement is essential in the balance of mental health and COVID-19 times.
Try to Have Fun!
There are many activities you can do at home to have a great time with your family or by yourself. Puzzles, board games, musical instruments, online courses, movies, TV shows, books, and the list goes on. Your behavioral health will improve immediately!
Keep in Touch with Old Friends
Mental health and COVID-19 is a subject that may affect many people you are close to. With today’s technology it is really easy to connect with friends and family through a virtual reunion, you will witness for yourself how fun, relieving, and healthy it is to connect with people you care about.
Help Others
Many people have bad days during these hard times. If it’s within your means, go online and see how you can help a charity that is important to you.
6. Go on Vacation
By the end of 2020, we got amazing news; the news we were expecting all through 2020 and that was of amazing importance for mental health and COVID-19. A number of vaccines had been approved by the World Health Organization as well as by local health authorities. The world finally opened again! With that came the possibility of safe travels. But some people still felt the stress of a hard year, and the same people are choosing to take a well-deserved vacation to fully relax and recover all of their energy.
One of the most popular destinations to relax, improve your mental health, and get rid of the stress caused by the pandemic is Cancun, especially going to luxury resorts where your comfort and well-being are a priority, like Villa del Palmar Cancun Luxury Beach Resort & Spa, a resort where their first-class relaxation activities will make you want to prolong your vacation.
Villa del Palmar Cancun is proud to offer their guests a luxurious relaxation experience at their Village Spa. Featuring a wide variety of relaxation treatments where you can be assured you will find the perfect massage to calm any kind of stress you may be carrying. It may be a couple’s massage, an aromatherapy massage, facials, ancient healing rituals, massages with hot stones, or hydrotherapy, just to name a few of their excellent options. A full day at the Village Spa will make you feel years younger.
While vacationing to improve your mental health, there are many other activities that will help you through your process of getting rid of the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Villa del Palmar Cancun offers some great activities. One of the most complete activities for your body is yoga. With yoga you can achieve a balance between physical health and mind and spiritual exercise. Villa del Palmar offers yoga sessions on the pier with the best view possible of the beautiful turquoise waters of Cancun. Another amazing relaxing activity that will prepare you for your day are the stretching sessions at the beach every morning. Water sports, romantic nights, pool activities, games, shows, and activities for kids… you name it, at the resort you will find an endless list of amazing activities.
Keep your mind and body busy to improve your mental health and Villa del Palmar Cancun will help you leave behind the stress caused by the pandemic. A vacation is one of the best ways to cope with mental health and COVID-19.
Even the simplest getaway with your family is one of the greatest things you could do to improve mental health, but if you feel that your stress or the stress of someone you love could get out of control, and signs of depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, or any other problem to your mental health or substance abuse start to appear, please seek professional help and remember that you are not alone! The pandemic has provided more resources to teach the world about the importance of properly taking care of our mental health, as well as ways to help those who need it by a number of organizations that could save your life.
Who to Contact if you Need Help
The Crisis Text Line is a great resource if you need help via text message, you may contact them by texting HOME to 741741.
Suicide rates have been going drastically up since the start of the pandemic, with the report of 11% of adults that had suicidal thoughts in the month of January 2021. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is there to help at 1-800-273-TALK.
In a moment of crisis, you may contact SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
Also remember if you need immediate help call 911.
The best protection in relation to mental health and COVID-19 is to look after each other. Laugh, be with the people you love, distract your mind with amazing activities, thank the health care workers, and remember to stay safe, get vaccinated, and follow your public health authority’s advice.
