The vast majority of us have been working from home and keeping a ‘safe’ distance from others for around 15 months. This is to protect ourselves and also others in the community. After the vaccine roll-out, as the restrictions lift, it would not be unusual to experience some anxiety associated with getting back to pre-pandemic habits. This could be accentuated if you have a pre-existing mental health issue. This video [here] provides some information about this and there are some reassuring perspectives in this article [here].
Getting a good night's sleep
Many of us need a good night’s sleep to be able to feel the we are functioning at our best. This article [here] provides a few tips regarding how to achieve this. Tip number three is about the use cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT). If you want to know more about the use of the CBT approach to treat sleep issues, this is a book that I have helped to produce which s based upon good scientific evidence [see here].
Exercise and creativity
Most of us can do some form of exercise. This article [here] describes how those from within a wide range of ages and abilities can all exercise. Exercise is a very special form of activity that can actually extend and increase quality of life. This blog contains a number of entries that describe the mental health benefits of exercise. Another article [here] describes how many people find some forms of exercise to be ‘mindful’ and, in so doing, they increase creativity.
Some psychological effects of coming out of lock-down
Most of us will be desperately looking forward to an exit from the latest lock-down. This article [here] notes how this could end loneliness for many. Loneliness can be linked to both anxiety and depression. Coming out of lock-down also allows us to have physical contact with others again who have not been in our ‘bubble’. For example, the giving and receiving of hugs is a means of communicating love and friendship. The absence of these kinds of acts can have an impact upon self-esteem. However, for some, both the extended relative isolation and once again being close to people again, may exacerbate some anxieties. For instance, those centred around health/illness and socialising. A few tips regarding how best to cope are provided here.
Covid-19, mental health and personal communication
Of course, children are suffering during this pandemic as well as adults. This video [here] provides some guidance to parents regarding how to help children to cope. Included are suggestions to listen to children try to determine what they are experiencing and need; another is to help them to maintain their friendships in situations such as lockdown.
This article [here] tells the story of adult friends walking regularly over the pandemic and the benefit that they gained from this. Talking with others within a trusting relationship tends to be helpful, for instance through allowing individuals to vent or gain a new perspective on issues. When we don’t have such outlets, during such a time of chronic stress, matters can deteriorate as described here (within a work context). Once again, a solution offered is an increase in channels of communication. Are there ways that you can talk more to others that you trust?
A link between Covid-19 and mental health difficulties?
A report [described here] suggests that nearly one in five people experience a psychiatric disorder after recovering from Covid-19. The rate is almost double that which is found in those suffering from some other physical health conditions. The report also suggests that those with a pre-existing mental health disorder are 65% more likely to be diagnosed with Covid-19. The authors suggest some possible causal links, but currently these have not been established.
The pandemic and sharing of emotional 'strain'
Perhaps one positive aspect of the pandemic is that the disclosure of emotional strain or distress has become more normal in conversation. This process of talking about issues can be helpful for many. In this article [here], a celebrity talks about her experience of mental health issues and also touches on the impact of the the pandemic upon them.
The second lockdown and mental health
Those with mental health issues particularly struggle during lockdown and afterwards
It appears from this article (here) that some mental health services have taken a ‘back seat’ to physical health services over the course of the lockdown. Additionally, more people than usual have developed mental health problems over this time. This combination of factors has had a negative impact which includes an increase in substance and alcohol misuse and even suicides. With society opening up again and the impact of the economic downturn being felt, mental health services remain under pressure. This means that an increase in mental health difficulties is likely to continue. The article includes some helpful telephone services that can be used in the event of a crisis and this one (here) describes the benefits of reaching out to such organisations.
Coping with a winter lockdown
One form of therapy called ‘cognitive behaviour therapy’ affects negative mood by, among other things, influencing how we interpret events. This article (here) applies this concept to coping with a winter lockdown by investigating how Norwegians cope with their long, dark, cold winters. Those who take a more optimistic view tend to cope better. These individuals see winters as challenges and opportunities rather than as being threatening.
Coping in the pandemic
Some individuals are compiling and sharing advice for coping in these tough times (see here for an example).
More about the impact of Covid 19 on mental health
As we move through this pandemic together, we hear more and more about the negative psychological impact it has left in its wake. These articles (here and here) describe how rates of depression have doubled. Here, the impact on those with dementia is described, where a third of individuals feel like ‘giving up’. Many young people from the LGBT community have also suffered (see here). This clip (here) and article (here) look at the impact more specifically on postnatal depression.
On a positive note, some individuals are appreciating the greater availability of therapy online which offers more convenience and availability (as described here).
Sea swimming and mental health
Exercise has long been known to have a positive effect on mental health. Some people have suggested that cold water immersion can also be beneficial (for instance here). This clip (here) describes how these activities can be brought together in sea swimming.
If sea swimming isn’t appealing, this article (here) may help you to find an alternative.
Mental health and creativity
Having a mental health issue is not a sign of some form of character weakness. Some of the great historical leaders and creative thinkers have experienced mental health problems. In this article [here], Stephen Fry describes a little of his experience of having a psychological condition.
Challenging common misconceptions linked to OCD
This article [here] describes the features of the mental health issue termed ‘obsessive-compulsive disorder’ (OCD). It then goes onto to say how these features are different to how the condition is commonly portrayed in mainstream and social media.
The characteristics of 'happy brains'
This article [here] lists some findings that describe the approaches that some happier people tend to take in life. These approaches are quite broad in nature but there may be some tips that some individuals can take from the article (for example, trying new things every so often or taking opportunities to form supportive relationships).
Dealing with the impact of Covid 19
The effects of this virus are bound to have a large impact on many people. For example, this article [here] details the impact that it has had to calls to the Samaritans charity. This NHS site [here] has some useful general advice about how to cope over this difficult time. This article [here] has some practical advice on how to remain productive during a lock-down. This article [here] discusses how to best cope whilst working from home. Here are some self-help books [here] that a newspaper suggests might be a helpful read over this time (I have not read them myself).
Some characteristics of happier people
This article [here] describes some features of happier peoples’ approach to life.
The potential hazards of withdrawing from anti-depressant medication
For some, withdrawal from anti-depressant medication can be difficult and so I would always advise doing this under the supervision of your doctor. Individuals seem to vary according to how difficult they find this process to be. This article [here] describes one man’s struggle associated with reducing his level of medication use.
University students suffer at least as much as the rest of us
This article [here] describes a study that indicates that mental health issues are common in the student population and, like many other groups, they sometimes struggle to access help due to stigma. Those more likely to report significant past issues are: non-binary, in their third year of university, aged between 19 and 20, from the UK, and ethnically white,