My Secret to Navigating COVID-19 Mental Health Struggles? Gratitude.
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the physical and mental health of many people around the globe, and finding ways to cope can be a difficult task. During a recent Instagram Live session, Men’s Health Deputy Editor Spencer Dukoff spoke to Friday Sessions co-host and psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, about the emotions he felt during and after catching the deadly virus.
Feeling dark and fatigued, Dukoff first assumed it was a depressive episode. He realized the symptoms were the result of the coronavirus after later testing positive for the disease. Although he noted taking the proper precautions since the start of the pandemic, he says contracting the virus reinforced the idea that this can happen to anyone.
“Even if you’re taking the precautions, minimizing risks and doing it 99% of the way, there is that 1% that you could get sick, and so you just have to stay vigilant and do what you need to do to feel good about it,” Dukoff said.
Aside from the symptoms, what has shown to be the biggest challenge is the hard-core quarantine that can heighten pre-existing mental health issues. Dukoff regularly sees a therapist and offers tips that have gotten him through the helplessness of isolation. He practices meditation, stretching, reading, and a variety of mindfulness exercises that serve as grounding techniques for the five senses. Ramsey also suggests invoking a feeling of gratification, not only for the good but for the bad as well.
For Dukoff, when he finds himself in a dark space and filled with anxiety, it helps to make a list of positive things in his life. Taking a step back can be beneficial while also understanding that the negative experiences and feelings he's having are legitimate. But it turns out, these tips are beneficial for self care regardless of the pandemic.
“I had not really made as much use of those exercises and techniques before COVID, and now I feel like it’s something that will just kind of continue through,” he said. “That was the catalyst but now those things are helpful, COVID or not, in terms of grounding and feeling a little bit better.”
Check out the full session below for more tips on staying grounded during your coronavirus quarantine.
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