Managing Your Mental Health in Times of Uncertainty

During this time of uncertainty and instability caused by COVID-19, you may notice an increase in your anxiety or depression symptoms. This is to be expected, given common concerns related to the pandemic, such as the health and wellness of family and friends, the challenges of a diminished social life, and the impact the virus is having on careers and income. 

It’s important to remember during these difficult times that everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and the best method of treatment for your depression or anxiety is a combination of techniques based on your psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs. In this brief article, Maulik K. Trivedi, M.D., who specializes in psychiatry and depression treatment in Wesley Chapel, discusses what you can do to support your mental health and reduce stress in times of crisis. 

Related: How to Break the Cycle of Depression and Anxiety

Routine

Any kind of crisis is going to result in changes to your day-to-day life. Some routines, such as physically going to work, may disappear entirely. This can be very disorienting and cause confusion regarding the boundaries between work and home, or the professional and private sense of self. In order to regulate your emotions and mental energy, it is important to maintain a sense of consistency amid these new, disrupting factors. 

In place of the altered or removed parts of your routine, substitute activities which have been found to be beneficial for mitigating the impact of depression or anxiety, such as yoga, breathing exercises, or regular exercise. According to Harvard Health Publishing, yoga provides mental benefits, such as reduced anxiety and depression through its emphasis on breathing practices and medita­tion—both of which help calm and center the mind.  If you are interested in learning about how you could benefit from a fitness and nutritional regimen designed specifically for your needs, contact Dr. Trivedi’s care team for anxiety treatment in Wesley Chapel. 

Related: Anxiety and Depression’s Effect on the Body

Be Mindful of Your Consumption

In times of crisis, it is only natural to want to be as informed as possible; however, compulsively reading or watching the news coverage can be detrimental to your mental health. Instead, establish a reasonable rate of consumption of news coverage or updates about what’s happening in your community. Take any necessary precautions or preventative measures and then, focus on the aspects of your life that you are able to control.

Mindfulness meditation is just one method of coping that may allow you to stay grounded during these difficult times and recognize possible dormant solutions to your depression or anxiety. In times when you may not be able to connect with others socially, it may help to focus on connecting with the intelligence and rhythm of the natural world around you. There are a number of online resources, including guided meditations, at your disposal at the click of a button. 

For more information on how the listed modalities, mediation, yoga, and fitness and nutritional counseling fit into the MindBody Care™ model used by Dr. Trivedi and his team, or how it could benefit your depression or anxiety treatment in Wesley Chapel, contact us today.

Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Maulik K. Trivedi, M.D., website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services of Maulik K. Trivedi, M.D., or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. 

The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Maulik K. Trivedi, M.D. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Maulik K. Trivedi, M.D. is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.