Mental health has always been important. As the world approaches the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, taking care of your mental health is more prudent than ever before. You need resources to help get you through these tough times, and we’ve put together a fairly comprehensive list of links and resources to get you started.
Many thanks to Emotional Pet Support for helping to supply this mental health guide.
Mental Health Perks of Pets
Since Emotional Pet Support is all about helping pet parents, let’s talk about how having a pet can benefit your mental health during stressful times. Here’s what you should know:
- It’s a well-known fact that being a pet parent can help with stress and depression.
- But owning a dog can also keep you active, which can provide a big wellness boost.
- Some people may qualify for an emotional support animal, for even more benefits.
- If you plan on taking trips with an ESA in the future, there are a few key points to know.
Self-Care Strategies for Stress
Having a pet can improve your mental health during the pandemic and beyond. Still, stress and anxiety may be at a high for your right now, and that means taking a few extra self-care steps:
- Practicing simple yoga moves could enhance both your mental and physical health.
- To maximize the health and well-being benefits of yoga, add a meditation practice.
- Taking breaks from social media can also help protect your mental health right now.
- Also, be sure to look into free and low-cost mental health services during the pandemic.
Dealing With Financial Anxiety
As if the pandemic wasn’t stressful enough on its own, people are also having to face a great deal of financial uncertainty. These resources can help you stay calm and find help if needed:
- If you’re worried about counseling costs, your insurance may help. Including Medicare.
- You can also look to the free resources above or free apps to boost your well-being.
- Reducing expenses is one more way to curb the financial anxiety you may be feeling.
- There are still programs and resources available to help you avoid a financial crisis.
Maintaining Safe Social Connections
Having a pet can provide comfort and connection. Even so, it’s important to stay connected to other people to preserve your health and happiness, and there are safe ways to do so:
- Psychology Today emphasizes the role of social connection, even when you’re apart.
- Yes, even if you are the world’s biggest introvert you need some interaction to thrive.
- The good news? If you’re out walking your dog you’ll have more chances to connect.
- Other safe ideas for avoiding isolation include phone calls, video chats and social media.
This past year has been like none other in most of our lifetimes. If you are struggling with your mental health, try to keep this in mind. It’s normal to need a little bit of extra support to get you through such uncertain and stressful times. Whether it’s adopting a pet to provide comfort or fitting more self-care into your routine, taking care of yourself is so important right now.
Visit Emotional Pet Support to learn more about how a pet can help you manage your mental health and for additional resources, links and news.