Improving Emotional Health During Quarantine

How do we survive the daily reminders that we are living in troubled times? It is blasted in the media everywhere. Shoot, I see these bulletins on my computer all day and night providing me with the latest COVID-19 updates.

It’s in our face. We are living in troubled times. What have you been doing to cope? Are you binge-watching? Raiding your refrigerator all hours of the day?  Having a bit too much to drink? Sleeping too much? Or finding yourself angry and frustrated and acting like someone you don’t even want to be around?

Well, let’s face it – this is the new normal. Do you think somebody is going to flip a switch and we are going to all return to work, go to the Mariners games, and start having fun again? Not likely.

An 18-Month Process

A friend at the CDC warned me this was at a minimum an 18-month process. And us Clinical Psychologists know that after months of doing the same over and over again, behaviors become a habit.

Let’s fast forward into the future. Can you see yourself at a large concert or ballgame? Will you think twice when you walk into a crowded restaurant and hear somebody sneezing? How can you wear a protective mask if you are there to eat?

I believe that we are responsible people and will use the proper precautions when regulations ease a bit, but now that this pandemic has changed life as it was to the way it is, we will need to be more aware of ways to protect ourselves.

One quick question: How am I supposed to online date when I can’t meet a potential mate at Starbucks?

All kidding aside, we have seen a rise in Depressive disorders and substance use at this time. We’ve also seen a rise in domestic violence. This is because people in a crisis tend to regress – or revert to earlier stages of development. If you have been pouting and acting like a two-year-old it is because your unresolved issues need to be addressed.

The Conscious and Unconscious Mind

The human brain is fascinating. There is the conscious and unconscious mind. When we don’t deal with something and make-believe that if we don’t look at it, it will go away, it is still around. The real fact is that when we avoid something, we push it down into our subconsciousness. There is only limited space however and If you tend to have panic attacks or nightmares regularly, again it is time to take action.

The obvious question is – do you like yourself? This is a big question to answer honestly because the people who don’t will have the biggest challenge in these challenging times. When people are innately happy with themselves they are very resilient and can handle, even extreme circumstances. If you find your anxiety has become almost unbearable then work on improving your relationship is the number one priority.

Improving Our Emotional Health

Our relationships with others reflect how we are doing with ourselves. If we don’t like us then why would others? Also, if you don’t love yourself how can you love others? We can’t give away what we don’t have. And I’ve heard it all before – “Loving yourself is selfish or you will be labeled a Narcissist”. If you can only love others than you will quickly peter out. How frustrating it must be when you want to love your kids but got nothing to give.

We can take this moment in time as an opportunity to improve our emotional health. To do so make your relationship with self your primary relationship. Fill up your battery first. Afterward, you will have more juice to give to others. If you are waiting for them to fill you, you may be waiting a lifetime. The law of attraction simply put is like energy attracts like energy. When you are down, people kick you. When you are up, people will love you! Test that out. Fill yourself with love, interact with somebody from that space, and see what happens. Living heart-centered, especially at this moment in time not only makes you feel better, but the people you interact with will feel better too.

Then what it really boils down to are you a viewer or a doer? Are you going to wait for something in life to happen to you or are you going to take on life and mold it to how you want it to be?

Great health and wellbeing to you and yours in these troubled times.

Compassionate Care is Always Available

There are many more tools and strategies you can use in your pursuit of happiness. Here is where we come in. Contact us at Basic Steps Mental Health and let us support and educate you on this journey back to your loving heart center. Imagine living a heart-centered life, regardless of what is happening externally. We’d love to be of help.

For 25 years, Dr. Scott Alpert, the clinical director of Basic Steps Mental Health, has treated over 7,000 people with mental health and addiction problems, using a Psychological approach that mixes and matches ten of the top approaches used in the industry.

May you and yours remain happy and healthy,