How are you taking care of your mental health during this global pandemic times?

[TruthSeeker]

I find myself struggling today. It's not the virus or lack of therapy, I've been out of therapy for years. It's the having to stay home. It is horrible for my mental health. I'm home most of the day with just my 8 year old son and I love him to bits and am there for him but it's hard. I'm a person who likes being around people, it usually calms me, makes me feel happier. Where I live we're only about half a week in to self-isolation too. If I feel like this now, I can't imagine what it's going to be like in one more week or two more weeks. Trying to find new things to reset me and make me happy but it's hard work. :)

I live alone, and to stay emotionally even keeled and grounded, so over the past couple of years...my solution was to stay busy. I had a full calendar before the virus....I keep one on a white board to my bed....then I erased everything when all my plans crashed and burned with this virus. The sheer emptiness of that calendar whiteboard kept me in bed....stuck. I quickly realized that a full calendar, or the concept of a full calendar, and a black and white written schedule were what I needed to keep from falling further into the depressive pits of hell. So, first I created a 10ft walking club, called a couple of friends and we walk as a couple together at scheduled times for 1 hr-one on one side of the road, the other on the other side. The concept of including 10ft picnic with one other person after the walk was too much for my one friend. But the other was good with it. My one friend thought it was too much rule breaking (she's all about following the rules) to brown bag a meal..... Cleaning, like so many others are doing....is not calling to me. I wish it were. Neither is gardening...not my favorite, but it is exercise. So, I'm working on an online business I've been hacking at....for years, and decided to "go to work" on certain times of the day. I still see my T....so that's an appt...and she holds firm to 8 ft. The rules for my area say driving for relaxing is permissible. and there are no restrictions or proximity to home.....so that means day trips out are fine. So, Thursdays are my day out in the car, a self picnic, with nature all day.....and my camera. I drive anywhere in the state I want to go....and just because parks are closed doesn't mean I can't be more creative with places to photograph...All "National Parks" are closed....but people go in anyway to "exercise" and take a walk, which is permissible in this situation.....they keep the gate open to pedestrians.

 

[whiteraven]

I have taken a few solitary drives - through really pretty areas. Driving relaxes me, so this has been good and I am alone, so I don't have to worry about the whole distancing thing.

I think today is kind of a turning point here, in that more restrictions were put into place and officials made it pretty clear that we are in this mess for at least another month. That scared me, I think. Much as I hate to admit it, I really need contact with others to keep myself safe.

I decided to start making daily lists, little things I can do/work on that will keep me busy. I'm learning Arabic, so I'm going to start learning to write tonight. Two letters a day. I'm going to include small cleaning jobs, with the hope I can eventually actually invite someone over when we are no longer distancing. I'm taking a couple of courses, so will add those in as well.

 

[Deanna]

I got to talk to my therapist today on my phone. It was good to see her even if it wasn't her office setting. I could tell she was stressed. She could tell I was stressed.. B o th of us for different reasons but mainly the same issue.it was really good to see her. We're ( boyfriend and I ) arealso talking about going forwad with our relationship which is scary to me but makes sense, really. I'm getting tired of the coronavirus and so much talk from older folk saying that we are on the end times when coronavirus came from a bat. Makes me stop and think about brain washing but I accept that's the way they feel or taught. Most are scared to go outside. I went to Wal-mart 3 times today. One trip for cleaning supplies to wipe down the surfaces of my place. Da&m people! Really? Covid-19 came from a bat.

 

[shatter eyes]

I imagined I am Pikachu on a skateboard..... (entered into altered reality briefly) ?

 

[Firefly]

We all know the news and statistics and things to prevent getting infected physically.

But at least for me all the constant news and stats and emergency measures, while needed, are also creating this constant state of waiting what's next. It's stressful. The psychology of people in panic and under pressure is scary. So while it's important to keep up to date and keep physically safe, I think it's just as important at times like this to remember to take care of our mental health too.

How are you taking care of your mental health and staying calm and balanced in those times?

I am staying on anti-depressant, using kolonopins as needed (in very small doses), and occasionally shocking my brain with my at home ECT device. The combination of these things really calm me down.

Forcing myself to exercise helps slightly. And I have abandoned all diets and eat sugar daily to improve my mood now too.

-Once this China Virus stuff is over, I will feel so much better...

I imagined I am Pikachu on a skateboard..... (entered into altered reality briefly) ?View attachment 57110

Have u played Pokemon Sword or Shield yet? I<3 Pokemon!

 

[Ronin]

I'm gonna collect more Pikachus and less missing people posters from now on. :bored: *where ma sad emoticon at*

 

[The Albatross]

I'm getting restless, having difficulty sleeping and am having to monitor some "over thinking". Entirely too much time cloistered with my mother is not good for my mental health. Pollen counts are not in my favor but I'm out on the back porch about 3 hours every day now and my allergies are killing me but it's better than being with my mom.

 

[shatter eyes]

Have u played Pokemon Sword or Shield yet? I<3 Pokemon!

Hello. No i have not. The last Pokemon I played was Ruby on gameboy advance. I started with Red, Blue, Gold, Crystal then Ruby. My first pokemon was Charmander. I kept him right to the end. He turned into a fierce mofo. My allstar team was led by Snorlax, Blastoise, Venusaur, Alakazam, Charizard, Gyarados, Rattica, Geodude, and Lugia. Snorlax was not to be fkd with. Gyarados was wrathful and quick. Alakazam had his moves. Venusaur planted the seeds. Blastoise and Lugia was good tag team. Rattica and Geodude were no nonsense fighters. They got the job done did the damage and switched out if needed. They had each other's back well.

I enjoyed fishing and riding my bike in the game. Those were the younger days I had staying up escaping into Pokemon games. It felt real to me and I became Ash. I moved through the game's grass and trails anticipating what is ahead, what Pokemon will encounter? If I linger long enough will I catch Pikachu or a rarity? In the game I made plans to revisit my home and professor just to have them talk to me. When I found a bed to rest I really did feel rested, I still remembet the midi tones. In human reality my physical form stayed sitting crossed legged on the bed while internally I had been transported into the game where I felt purpose, adventure, and power to choose the direction of my life (in the game). I suspect I am not alone feeling the Pokemon connection which could be the reason for its success. I had a world literally held in my hands. In the Pokemon world we appreciated each others loyal friendship and we leveled up together till the end.

Glad to meet Pokemon pals here. I always wondered if the berries are symbolic for our natural medicines. The Gameboy cartridges internal battery are all dead. I like to make a project and replace them so I can one day play again. Suddenly I am thinking of Castlevania and how it also made me feel...whacking bats and monsters... coronavirus?

 

[Strangelongtrip]

My dad went on today about how obesity is a risk factor for death, and you're like 4x more likely to die if you're obese (probably a number he made up, because I couldn't find it anywhere. Something I've learned from childhood with him--fact check, because most of the time he doesn't even actually read what was written and makes stuff up that appeases his point of view). It is a risk factor, but I'm thinking it has to do more with health conditions brought on by obesity. I'm obese so I've been freaking out all day since then. I'm back in "death anxiety", what I call when my anxiety is so bad I can't feel anything but "you are going to die RIGHT NOW". I've already switched from vaping weed (legal, tested vapes) to edibles, but I'm paranoid I've already damaged my lungs and I have TWO risk factors, along with inflammation in my body from prolonged stress from PTSD.

I've been pretty good at riding the waves but this one I can't shake. I also have a million other things going on right now because of this virus, and despite of this virus, and I'm overwhelmed. I'm going to journal and see if that helps some, and maybe take a hot bath.

 

[Deanna]

Today, I'm just doing anything to avoid it. I hate this whole pandemic, while knowing in my mind that, that people are dying. Death is a trigger for me. ( one of many)

 

[DharmaGirl]

today about how obesity is a risk factor for death

I'm obese, have been for most of my life, and I am 62. I smoked real cigarettes for 20 years. I have a huge veggie garden, several flower gardens and over 50 chickens, all taken care of by me. You aren't going to die today. Being fat is a risk factor, but if I dies 4 or 5 years before I would have, too bad.

 

[Justmehere]

Virtual game nights with friends.