Concerns about your children’s health, cabin fever from being isolated, a disrupted routine, and exhaustion from staying at home with kids may add considerable stress in a parent’s life. This can lead to depression and anxiety.
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Stay connected to the community. Being quarantined, even with family can be isolating. Talk to friends and extended family via phone and facetime.
Try not to make assumptions.
Follow reputable sources about the outbreak.
Be cautious of social media and news stories.
Talk to your children about this pandemic.
If you are quarantined, engage in activities that bring you joy, such as reading a book, doing a new art project, reaching out to friends on social media, watching a movie, learning a new language.
Talk about it.
Visit the following links for more information:
Is the Coronavirus Impacting Our Mental Health? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/202003/is-the-coronavirus-impacting-our-mental-health
How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids https://childmind.org/article/how-to-avoid-passing-anxiety-on-to-your-kids/
Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty https://afsp.org/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-in-the-face-of-uncertainty/
Free psychological support
In order to be a good parent to your child, it’s important to take care of yourself first. Here are resources that can help:
The Crisis Text Line is a 24/7 service that’s text only. Their website also has support numbers and additional information. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. They are there to help. Lifehacker has a list of the top 10 free and affordable services for mental counseling: https://lifehacker.com/top-10-free-and-affordable-mental-health-and-counseling-1788814933
Many cities have a number to call for free therapy that allows you to consult directly with a counselor. If you aren’t sure what hotline to call, you can call 211.
It’s also possible that therapy may be covered by your employer or insurance. For more advice on strategies for finding free and affordable therapy, visit https://www.psycom.net/how-to-find-affordable-therapy/
Meditation apps
Meditation can reduce stress, help control, anxiety, promote mental health, improve sleep and even help generate kindness. Plus, you can do it anywhere. MIT Medical recommends the following 5 apps to help reduce stress and preserve well-being. Most have free options or include 7-10 day free trials to get started.
Headspace: Starts with the basics and teaches as it progresses
Smiling Mind: Not-for-profit app designed by psychologists and educators
iMindfulness: 3 meditations of different lengths available in English, Danish and Norwegian
Mindfulness Daily: Helps integrate mindfulness meditation into your daily life
For more information on how Mindfulness can help, visit https://medical.mit.edu/stay-healthy-mit-stress-reduction/mindfulness-apps.
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