COVID-19 has affected our day to day lives, economic movements, and our social relationships. The rapid spread of the virus caused us to limit our interaction with others. Its’ effects on our mental health have been alarming, and should be one of our top priorities!
What impact has COVID had on our mental health in Ireland?
According to a newly-published research paper from Northern Ireland Assembly, mental health problems associated with the Covid-19 pandemic are likely to be profound and felt for many years.
It is stated that there’s already a lot of evidence on the effects of COVID to the mental health of young people. In fact, it shows that anxiety and depression are 25% more common in children and young adults.
In a similar survey done by Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), it shows that 12.6% of these children and young adults are likely to suffer common mood disorders. These figures have the same trend in the adult population. The research concluded that a restrictive measure put in place during the pandemic on top of, for example, loss of jobs, loneliness, bereavement, and the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 has led to high levels of anxiety and a negative effect on many people’s mental health.
What can we do about it?
It is only natural to feel anxiety, grief, stress, and worry since the pandemic. But you can always do something about it. Below are 4 simple ways to help your mental health thrive from the effects of COVID:
1. Take a break from reading, watching your screens, or listening to local news stories.
Only gather high-quality information from a select few trusted sources. This will help you organise your thoughts and focus on what is important. The news often focuses on the negative stories. There is so much positivity in this world! I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase “negative media sells”, which is true. You must surround yourself with positivity and expose yourself to less negativity. This is a simple way to do it!
At the Hypnosis and Therapy Centre, we have specific programmes to target switching off from your devices.
2. Take care of your body
You are what you eat! Try to eat well-balanced meals, drink lots of water, get enough sleep, and try exercise. We’re not talking hill sprints or marathons. Get out on a walk every day or second day. Or try a slow jog to start off. Aches and pains are present at all ages. Move your joints and your body!
The chemical effect of exercise and fresh air is beyond important. It is vital for your mental state to get your body moving and release those endorphins in your brain.
Our Hypnotherapy Blog has numerous articles on the effect of mental health on our physical health!
3. Give yourself time to unwind
Try something you haven’t tried before. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a hidden talent of yours! Trying new things is great for your mental well-being. It gets your out of your comfort zone and releases new chemical juices within your brain.
People spend hours staring at screens each and every day. This is not good for your mental health. Get out, open your eyes to the world! See your friends or family (but make a rule to put your phones in your pocket).
Too much screen time negatively affects your mental health. This is another easy thing you can cut down on to improve your mental health and focus on what matters. This also gives yourself time to think and unwind. RELAX! Have a bath or go for a walk. We’re not talking about doing anything complicated here!
4. Try Hypnosis!
At the Hypnosis and Therapy Centre, we specialise in using Hypnosis to communicate with the subconscious, resolving underlying issues from the core. We work with clients every day who have dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for many years. Read our reviews to see how much of a positive impact we have had on their lives in just a few sessions.
You will feel a difference after the very first session, while the remaining sessions focus on resolving the issues in the subconscious. We will teach you how to manage and eliminate anxiety and panic attacks. Read more about hypnosis for anxiety and panic attacks to see if this is something you would be interested in finding out more about!
Hypnosis and Therapy Centre – Mental Health Services
Anxiety can be immobilizing. It can stop some people from leaving their house, or their bedroom! We have changed people’s lives in just a few sessions. Imagine getting back in control of your own life and getting yourself out there! It may seem impossible right now, but our reviews show how effective and permanent our results are.
We offer a free phone consultation to all of our clients to discuss the process, alleviate any concerns and to answer your questions. We also offer a Complimentary Breakthrough Session. In 22 minutes, or less, we will identify what is standing in the way of you reaching your goals.
Fill out the consultation form or read our Hypnosis FAQs for more information.
Free Mental Health Organizations that can help
Here are some organizations in Ireland that are dedicated to helping those who have mental health problems:
Pieta House. 1800 247 247
Samaritans Ireland 116 123
Aware 1800 80 48 48
Text50808 Text HELLO to 50808 to start a conversation
See Change 01 541 3715
These organizations provide services that can be used during emergency situations. You may also take advantage of their chat support. Some of these organizations provide educational videos and articles on how to take care of your mental health. Remember that you are not alone. There are a lot of people and organizations out there who will do their best to get the help that you need.
If you wish to speak with Caitríona or Fiachra, get in contact or fill out your details below!