The pandemic has been going on for over a year and no one was prepared for the mental toll it has taken on everyone’s lives. You’ve probably been dealing with higher levels of stress than you ever have before. Learning to manage this stress effectively can be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. There are many different tools you can use to manage that stress. Here are a few of the most effective tools you might find useful.
Try Coping Techniques
Using coping techniques can help you manage your stress more effectively. The great thing about this method is that it is inexpensive, often free, and you can do it on your own. One great technique that costs nothing is breathing exercises. Doing breathing exercises can help you calm down and feel more at peace. Sometimes stress occurs for no reason so reality checking your situation and help you to relieve your stress. According to Cleveland Clinic, even just making sure that you are staying in contact with the people you love can help you manage your stress more effectively.
Seek Treatment
Sometimes stress from the pandemic gets bad enough that you can’t deal with it on your own, and that’s okay. In those cases, you should seek out treatment so you can get the help you need. There is a wide variety of treatments available. Your doctor can help you find the right one for you. One therapeutic option is transcranial magnetic stimulation. This is a new kind of stimulation that has proven to be very effective. According to TMS Clinics of Canada, TMS works by stimulating the part of the brain that controls your mood. Talk to your doctor about the kinds of therapy that might be effective for you.
Get Outside
One major factor that has impacted the mental health of people during the pandemic is being inside too much. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, taking the time to go outside can improve your mood and help you to manage stress more effectively. Whether you simply go for a walk, ride your bike around town, or take a hike in the mountains, you can experience many positive effects on your mental health. Take time each day to do something you enjoy outside in the sunshine.
The stress of the pandemic can be a lot for anyone to handle. Just remember that it’s okay to seek help if you need it. There’s nothing shameful about asking for help. If your mental health is suffering, try some of these techniques to help you feel like yourself again.
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