Handling Your Mental Health During a Pandemic

Theresa Chen
Jul 18, 2020
2 min read

As high school teens, there are certain mental health issues we all face.

The fear of doing bad on a test, the fear of not making the sports team, the fear of not getting the leadership position we wanted, or the fear of not being elected on the student government board. However, these kinds of fears have recently transformed into something else. While in quarantine, we are often left alone with our thoughts on what is to come. It seems as though we wake up every day to a new bit of bad news, especially regarding the global pandemic. With help from the CDC, MHA, and WHO, you can cope with the fear surrounding the status of the pandemic in our country.

Preparing Yourself

The CDC has a list of initiatives to take care of in order to keep your mental health in check during these trying times. The first is to know where and when to get treated, and what to do if you get the virus. Knowing how to take care of yourself in the off-chance that you get the virus can be calming because you know how to take care of the situation.

Unwind and Relax

Your emotional health is also very important during this time of crisis. The main remedy for this is to take a break once in a while. Connect with friends and family, whether it be through social distancing measures or social media. Try your best to unwind and relax; these times can be especially stressful. Take some time off to do the things you truly enjoy, such as a hobby or a creative project. Taking walks and getting some exercise are also a great way to clear your head.

Take a Break

One of the most important steps to keeping your mental health in check is to take a break from the news once in a while. Repeatedly hearing about the pandemic and the number of cases can be harmful to one’s emotional state. Again, sometimes it feels like we wake up every day to the next bit of bad news. It’s okay to take a break if you feel as though looking at the news all the time is affecting your mental health. Taking “social media detoxes” are one of the best ways to clear one’s emotional state.