The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has wrought turmoil across the nation, bringing the global economy to an all-time low since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Millions have been impacted by this pandemic; some have caught the virus, hundreds of thousands have died, and more still have lost their jobs.
Even people who have still retained their jobs live, like Fortuna Visual, who produce sneeze guard glass, live in fear of falling ill or endangering their loved ones. Some people are stuck at home, wondering when things will go back to normal. Regardless of which situation you find yourself in, you may find yourself battling depression during COVID-19.
How to Prevent Contracting COVID-19
The most important thing to do is to keep yourself safe by following the WHO’s recommendations for hygienic practices. For instance, wear a face mask, wash your hands often, and maintain a 6-foot distance from other people.
How to Help Employees Prevent Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Even if your hospital/ facility utilizes the most efficient safety measures during COVID-19, your employees may still feel the stressful mental and emotional effects of the coronavirus. Rather than waiting until they begin to show signs of COVID-19 depression, be proactive, and share these tips with them. So, let’s get to it!
Social Interaction
First of all, one key component to avoiding COVID-19 depression is social interaction. Seriously, we can’t stress that enough! Perhaps you are a proud introvert but bear with me for a moment. Even introverts still have some form of social interaction, whether it be through work, shopping, dates, the gym, or something else. Having social interaction not only combats COVID-19 depression, but it also has fantastic health benefits.
For instance, it reduces your chance of developing Alzheimer’s, and it also helps regulate your blood pressure. So, taking the time to interact socially, whether it be over the phone, webcam, or chat room, is a total no-brainer. Some people are even turning to visit friends on Animal Crossing to combat COVID-19 depression! Believe it or not, running around a virtual island with your friends and visiting cute animals can be exactly what you need to brighten up your day.
Exercise
With the stress of the pandemic on your shoulders, you may be tempted to spend all of your free time slumped over on the couch. But, a lack of physical activity can quickly lead to COVID-19 depression! Even if you are stuck inside for extended periods of time, it’s easier than you think to fit in your daily exercise.
You don’t need a lot of space; you can do exercises such as yoga and Pilates in just a small section of the floor. If you have a dog, increase the length of his walks. Both you and your dog will love it! Just be sure to wear your mask and maintain your distance from other walkers.
Take Breaks from Consuming Media
We get it – it can be so tempting to stay glued to your phone, consuming mass amounts of media. The world is a scary place right now, and it’s only natural to want to stay updated. However, you need to give yourself a break. Inundating yourself with only negative things will definitely affect your mental health in an undesirable way and could lead to COVID-19 depression.
When you feel yourself starting to get overwhelmed, put your phone or computer down. Take some deep breaths. Cook something delicious. Paint a picture. It doesn’t really matter what you do – so long as it is something you enjoy and doesn’t involve reading news.
Get Enough Sleep
Adults typically need between 7-8 hours of nightly sleep in order to be in the best headspace. If you don’t get enough sleep, you can feel irritated, groggy, and low on energy all day. Plus, it increases your chance of developing COVID-19 depression. Take steps to increase the quality of your sleep, such as avoiding screens for 1 hour before bedtime, using blackout curtains, and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule.
Share Your Thoughts
COVID-19 and depression often go hand in hand, so we hope that these tips to help prevent depression during the COVID-19 pandemic have been useful for you. Now, we’d like to hear from you! What have you been doing to combat COVID-19 depression? Leave a comment below and let us know what has been the most effective for you.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
