Mental Health Awareness Month falls at a time when many of us can use some extra support. The stress and anxiety of COVID-19 has put a new kind of pressure on us. It’s more important than ever that we take care of our emotional well-being during this time. If you or someone you know needs help, Santa Barbara County’s Behavioral Wellness has services that can help and a 24 hour hotline: 888-868-1649.
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has put together the following strategies for coping with isolation:
- Practicing mindfulness and relaxation exercises
- Stay connected by phone and electronically
- Keep current connections strong
- Stay informed through reliable sources
- Limit your screen time
- Eat healthy and drink plenty of water
- Call elderly and house-bound friends and neighbors to see how they are feeling. Bring them meals and special treats, being mindful of their vulnerability and susceptibility.
- Play board games with your kids
- Read to your children and have them read to you
- Take on a home project, paint that wall that you have been thinking about
- Work in the garden
- Have push-up contests or do yoga together
- Make special meals and involve the whole family, eat healthy!
- Order in meals from favorite restaurants that you don’t think normally do takeout
- Get outside – go for walks, runs, and hikes (maintain social distancing)
- Assign someone at work as your Morale Officer to focus on your team’s wellness
Learn more at https://publichealthsbc.org/emotional-wellness/.