With how things have been going on during 2020, a lot of people have started to notice one particular trait that cannot remain unchecked: mental health. Most people were able to deal with everything that they had to go through on a daily basis–thanks to socializing and going out, but for many, that’s no longer an option today.
Family, friends, and social events were some of the things that helped people, and even introverts managed to get the most out of going out and enjoying some time alone outside of their houses, like simple walks in the park or going for a jog.
Sadly, this was not possible for most of this year, so a lot of people started to suffer from severe cases of anxiety, insomnia, problems with procrastination, depression, loneliness, and even remaining consistent about eating habits and exercise became a true challenge.
For everyone, 2020 and Quarantine marked a before and after that taught us a very valuable lesson: our mental health is an important aspect of our lives that we cannot ignore. It also showed us how our daily lives can be threatened very easily, and how some changes can draw us into a corner.
So, thanks to it, a lot of activities started to gain popularity. Exercising at home, for example, became a very important part of a healthy routine. It helps you maintain yourself active, healthy, and proactive while boosting your morale. Overall, exercising can be a great asset and is recommended for everyone… But what about those who need help to be okay during these hard times?
For that, a form of therapy known as teletherapy has you covered.
Teletherapy from Home
Teletherapy can be simply described as receiving therapy from home through devices that are connected to the internet. It’s a new form of therapy that has started gaining a lot of popularity thanks to quarantine, which nowadays, has become a rather safe, comfortable way of assisting therapy.
With the benefits of other forms of therapy but way more convenient, teletherapy has become very present. The flexibility with scheduling and the fact that you can skip commuting as well as how it helps with the whole social-distancing makes it an even more viable alternative.
Ideally, you should expect to use a computer with a camera in order to receive any form of therapy, because it creates a sense of connection between you and the professional that handles your process, but there are some exceptions, and depending on the specialist you go for, a laptop, phone or desktop with microphone might be enough. Just make sure to check out the various internet providers in atlanta, or wherever you are, to make sure that you are getting the best connection possible or, if you wish to upgrade your internet, who the best provider to facilitate this is going to be.
If you are not very used to technology, the specialist will provide you with a guide that showcases, step by step, how you will connect with the therapist. In case any problem or complication arises, the therapist is more than prepared to walk you through a solution as well.
When Therapy is a Good Choice
A lot of people are not even aware that they might need therapy, in some way or another. They just cope with their daily lives and expect that things get better at some point when they should actually be working on themselves and their mental and emotional health.
That is why I’m going to showcase some of the hints showcasing that you might, indeed, need therapy, or at the very least, become aware of your situation and start working on it. Some good examples are:
Unstable Emotions: Managing your emotions becomes harder with every day that passes. You become angry, sad, or just overall depressed without noticing, and you can’t control the way you feel about things.
Lack of Motivation: You might feel like doing day-to-day activities is just too troublesome, and you lack the will to even take care of yourself or those surrounding you. Cleaning, cooking, studying, and working became much harder with the current situation.
Sleeping Disorders: Sleeping has now become a real challenge, and you can’t avoid being up at 2 a.m. without being able to sleep. Sleeping doesn’t feel the same and you are exhausted almost all day long. For some reason, you start feeling anxious whenever it is time to sleep.
Social Interactions Are Not the Same: Maintaining your social interactions through social apps or social media has never been harder. You lack a sense of excitement or responsibility towards your friends or family, and you cannot maintain a proper conversation with people. Talking with others has never been so uninteresting or underwhelming to you.
You Can’t Enjoy Things You Are Passionate About: If you suddenly find yourself lost about the thing you used to enjoy, and cannot feel the same thrill or emotions while doing those activities, you might want to check a therapist.
Of course, there are other problems you should pay attention to like the one mentioned here but these are some of the most common problems people are dealing with during quarantine.
Activities to Improve Mental Health
If you are still reluctant about trying teletherapy as a form of mental health improvement, you can still engage in some really healthy activities that can help you cope with quarantine, anxiety, and depression.
As I mentioned earlier, exercise can be really helpful when it comes to improving your mood and overall mental health. Believe it or not, research has pointed out that exercising on a regular basis can be as effective as an antidepressant, and they are likely to be linked to the balance of hormones that can, directly and indirectly, affect your mental and physical health.
Other things you can try out besides exercising are meditation and having a diary. By meditating on a regular basis, you train your mind to focus on what’s important, and be mindful about what’s happening to you in the present, instead of focusing on the ghosts of the past, and dreadful thoughts. Meditation also has been proven to reduce stress, help with depression, improve sleep, and enhance focus and proactivity.
Journalism is a good way to keep the progress of your adventure to improve your mental health, as well as how things change for the better on a daily basis. It works as a form of courage that makes sure you are noticing how you are getting better at things, so you don’t get discouraged or feel stuck.
Here you can check some other things you can try to improve your overall mental health.
Unrestricted access to able medical care personnel for people with mental disorders has become the norm during this time of the pandemic. Patients who need their sessions done continuously and uninterrupted can easily book it online and have the session with the therapist in the privacy of personal web meeting rooms.
The possibility of having these online-based mental health services done over the internet is not only a cost-effective solution but also a safe way to deliver the needed care in a time when social distance is of the essence.
Nowadays, people use the Internet not only to get information about symptoms or treatment programs but also uses it as a safe and practical and way to deliver non – invasive treatments and therapeutic sessions.
Apart from relying solely on the internet to keep your sanity and maintain overall wellbeing while staying indoors, find other ways to entertain yourself and keep yourself preoccupied with different uplifting activities. Work on n a craft, discover new skills train your body to achieve Zen while working out from home.
All these and more are readily available over the net, all you have to do is do some research, gather your materials, and get moving! The level of satisfaction one gets from accomplishing something on their own is far more fulfilling than having to purchase it for a hefty amount. Now that most of us have time in our hands, staying indoors and keeping a tab of things that have been long overdue done provides a different feeling of “high”.
Keeping your mind and body active ensures a better state of mental health. Our homes could be a retreat from a very chaotic world, you just have to find that perfect quiet spot. There are DIY home designs and mini renovations that you can work on to create the perfect spot for your Zen time or even teletherapy sessions.
When daily activities take a toll on your body, make sure you get a good night’s rest. Recharge and re-energize your body by getting at least 6-8 hours in dreamland. All throughout the day, Stop to enjoy small gratifying aspects of the day. Enjoying the small things may be a cliché but definitely does its part. Breath, relax, and follow your heart without leaving your mind behind.
Don’t overthink, switch to a healthy diet, try those free online classes, or follow an easy 10-minute home workout. Do video calls with friends or family. Keeping a close tab on your physical and mental state daily ensures you get the most out of life.
