Leslie Weide, MSW, LICSW, an experienced social worker with Twin Cities Spine Center, shares some thoughtful suggestions on how to best care for your mental heath during these challenging and sometimes difficult times:
As we approach the end of 2020 it is important to reflect on our resilience and our losses. Both deserve validation.
For Midwestern residents we are familiar with what accompanies winter. The weather gets colder making it less appealing to acquire fresh air. The darkness at night comes earlier. This winter is different than any other winter we have had to manage because of the pandemic.
For many, you may have experienced extraordinary loss this year. Both direct and indirect. This pandemic has filled us with grief, loss, restrictions, and an unknown journey ahead.
So, what can we do to build resilience?
Processing the grief and loss is all a part of resilience on our journey through this experience. Ask yourself what gives me strength? What gives me hope? Who are my pandemic battle buddies? Hold on to these answers and let them light your path.
Lean into the relationships you have with friends, family, and colleagues to help cope with these challenges.
Seek help. This period of heightened stress can affect our mental health and thankfully with improved technology such as telemedicine one can stay in touch with their health care providers and seek help and assistance.
Here are some additional ways to care for your mental health during these difficult times:
Take care of yourself physically
Talk to other people
Talk to a counselor or seek help when needed
Take breaks
Consider creating a Got Done List instead of a To Do List
Use social media carefully
Limit the amount of news you watch
Stay safe, be well, and best wishes for a healthy and happy 2021!
Click here to learn more about Leslie Weide, MSW, LICSW
