Hi everyone-- this blog post is in regards to the pandemic that is affecting our country. First, I would like to remind everyone that I am not a doctor-- this is based on my own experiences.
A) I am a psychology major with an HDFS minor and a health and wellness minor. Basically, I know a solid amount about health. But my main focus is on MENTAL health— because it’s not talked about enough.
B) The coronavirus pandemic has instilled a lot of fear, anxiety, and concern in everyone. We are all worried about our physical health— which is of course very understandable. But what about our mental health?
Our MINDS also keep us healthy! All of the constant news, spread of the virus, empty grocery stores, etc has made us feel anxious, upset, confused, and a variety of other emotions— which is totally OKAY!
But we have to remember— our minds need to be loved and cared for so we don’t burn out. We are so focused on washing our hands that we have forgotten to cleanse our minds— both physical and mental health are EQUALLY as important.
I am not a doctor— but I do advise people to stay inside and stay away from others. Not only will that put you at less risk, but it will also put others at less risk. We have to remember that although the virus may not affect us badly, it will seriously affect elders and those with underlying health issues— like my loved ones.
Although it’s not under the circumstances that we have hoped, this distance allows us to do things that we have been wanting to do but haven’t had the time to do.
“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
"And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
"And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."
~Kitty O'Meara
We have been given a chance to stay inside and protect ourselves and others while also being able to spend time with our loved ones— our parents, our brothers, our sisters, our pets.
Watch a movie with them. Catch up on your show. Use that face mask that’s been sitting in your cabinet for months. Draw something. Read a good book. Meditate. Journal! Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Play a board game. Do a puzzle. Learn a new language! We are not TRAPPED— we have technology that allows us to be in touch with people and be in touch with ourselves!
But remember...
I am not downplaying this situation. I understand the severity of COVID-19– my father works in a hospital. My grandparents have underlying health conditions. I have only left my house twice— to buy food and supplies. But I have noticed that I have the world at my fingertips and now I can do all those things I have been wanting to do. I have no excuses now. I am isolated in a house with four people that I love and so many books to read and things to learn. I refuse to waste this time. What we don’t realize is that by taking this time for ourselves, we are also saving the world. We are reminding people about the humanity and love and opportunities that still exist during a horrible time.