HEALTH: Prioritize Your Mental Health During the Return to Normalcy

miércoles, 5 de mayo de 2021

Prioritize Your Mental Health During the Return to Normalcy

From the Editors:
Caring for Your Mental Health in the Return to Normalcy

Every Wednesday throughout Mental Health Awareness Month, our editors will share insights from our new "Return to Normalcy" collection. The theme of this week is prioritizing your mental health.

As COVID-19 vaccinations roll out and restrictions are lifted, we're in a state of transition that may impact your mental health in many ways. Verywell Mind is committed to guiding you through this uncertain time with helpful, trustworthy content that will support you no matter what you're feeling.

Amy Morin, LCSW,
Verywell Mind Editor-in-Chief

The pandemic inspired more conversations about mental health than I've ever heard before, even as a therapist. I'm thrilled that so many athletes, celebrities, mental health professionals, and everyday people stepped up to talk about their mental health.

This year reminded us that our environment plays a huge role in our psychological well-being. When you take away some of the things that are important to us—like time with extended family and social activities we love—our mental health is likely to take a dip.

Fortunately, many people learned new coping skills—like yoga. Others returned to simple pleasures they relied on in the past—like putting together puzzles and playing board games—to get through tough times.

But some people struggled to find healthy coping skills. And they reached for things that made them feel good for a minute, but introduced even bigger problems into their lives—like drugs, alcohol, or comfort foods.

For most of us, there were highs and lows. There were days when mental health improved and healthy coping skills prevailed. And other days when we struggled to feel good, gave into temptations, and lacked motivation to get things done.

As we begin to return to normalcy, my hope is that we'll emerge with a better understanding of mental health, less of a stigma associated with getting help, and more compassion for ourselves and others when mental health issues are present.

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