The COVID-19 pandemic caused anxiety and depression for many people around the world in 2020. In 2021, a vaccine is available, lockdowns are being lifted, and restrictions are no more in many areas. The uncertainty of the world led to an uptick in mental health disorders.
However, even with the strides being made on the COVID-19 front, that doesn’t mean that the anxiety and depression are just going to disappear overnight. Many people are still having issues and need help. If you’re one of those people, there are steps you can take to help you deal with the depression and anxiety that still lingers after COVID-19.
Seek Out Counseling
Online counseling services are still available for anyone who suffers from depression, anxiety, or other disorders due to COVID-19 and other issues as well. If you’re not sure or haven’t received a diagnosis of what’s troubling you, an easy depression test can be found online to point you in the right direction. The right therapy can help you to overcome your fears, feel better, and still not have to leave your home if you’re not comfortable with going out just yet. However, make sure that you do your research well instead of just making an appointment with the first online counselor you find online.
Eat Healthy
Eating a healthy diet instead of loading up on junk food and fast food has been linked to helping with depression as well. You want to eat foods that contain plenty of vitamins and nutrients, not foods that fill you up on calories and make you feel worse than you already do. Eating healthy is key to getting back out there in the world and thriving once again.
Get Enough Sleep at Night
Getting enough sleep when you’re anxious or depressed can seem almost impossible. Limit your caffeine intake, stay away from alcohol, and set yourself up on a schedule for the best results. If you set yourself up on a regular bedtime routine, your body will get used to doing those things before bed, and it’ll be easier to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Some suggestions for a bedtime routine include reading, listening to relaxing music, yoga, or taking a long nice bubble bath before bed.
Don’t Give Up on Exercise
When you’re depressed or anxious, it’s super easy to give up on getting any kind of exercise. When all you want to do is crawl onto the couch, grab the remote, and binge-watch Netflix, that desire can become overwhelming.
Now that the lockdowns are being lifted, you can get out and go to the gym again, or at least take a short walk around the block in the mornings and again after dinner. Any type of exercise, whether at home in your living room, walking with friends, or going to the gym once a week, will help your depression and anxiety levels quite a bit.
Seek Social Support
Now that the lockdowns are being lifted everywhere, it’s much easier to make contact with friends and family. Alleviate some of your anxiety and depression by calling them and making plans to go to the movies or dinner, or just to get together for coffee and talk. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel by just being able to get out and about and feel normal once again. Chances are your friends are as stir-crazy as you’ve become and need to talk as well, so why not?
These are just a few tips for dealing with anxiety and depression that might have stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic. Though things are looking up for 2021, the anxiety and depression will hang around for a while. Be proactive, and follow the tips above to help you get back to normal sooner rather than later.