Mental Health During a Time of COVID-19

By THE COUNSELING CENTER

It is time to check in on our feelings with all the changes going on.  Classes have been moved to online formats for the rest of the semester.  The Governor of New York has set new regulations on daily life and many of us are spending a lot of time alone and/or overwhelmed with family as we all learn to deal with doing almost everything remotely from home.  Here are some tips on how to manage feelings and mental health issues during this time. 

• Acknowledge all your feelings.
• Take a moment to feel, reflect, and name all your emotional reactions.
  • • This sudden change and disruption can come with many feelings including fear, sadness, disappointment, gratefulness, etc.
    • Remember trying not to acknowledge feelings doesn’t mean they will go away.
    • Try keeping a journal or voice journal.
    • This can also help to keep things in perspective.
• Take breaks from news coverage and social media about the virus. Hearing about it all the time can cause anxiety and increase fear.  Pick once or twice a day for an update.
• Stay hopeful – Seek out positive news about people helping others or about musical artists providing concerts from home.
• Set up boundaries for your routine – Let your family know when you have class time, so you can be left alone.  And respect their time for their work. This makes for less stress about schoolwork.
• Stay connected with your friends.  Video chat, text, or talk on the phone.
• Take a calming break – deep breathing, meditation, yoga, coloring, a craft, or just being unplugged and quiet.
• Exercise – this can reduce stress and anxiety.
  • • Go on walks, even if it is just around the block – just practice social distancing.
    • If you can’t go out, do some movement around the house – even if it’s dancing to your favorite song.
• Recognize the signs of psychological distress: 
  • • Increased worry, fear, or feelings of being overwhelmed
    • Feeling overwhelming sadness, crying a lot, feeling hopeless
    • Inability to concentrate along with decreased academic performance
    • Sleeping too much or can’t sleep
    • Withdrawing from others
    • Increased alcohol or drug us as a coping technique
    • Engaging in risky or impulsive behaviors
    • Sudden noticeable changes in your personality

If your feelings get too much or you notice any sign of psychological distress, reach out.  Talk to someone you trust.

If you would like to discuss your feelings, or if you want to talk about anything, reach out to the Counseling Center.  We are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 518-454-5200 with any questions or email us at counseling@strose.edu. Follow us on Instagram @csrcounselingctr to learn about helpful tips while you’re away from college. Most of all, hang in there!