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Abstract

ings that have happened before, but never accumulated in the same six months.</p><p id="3056">The apocalyptic feeling has damaged all the hard work I have achieved in my mental health, and I am 100% positive I am not the only one. The feeling that the situation is never-ending, that we will never go back to normality, that there is no way for this to end is so damaging for people who already felt this at some level before a world pandemic began. I am sure, even people who had never gone through depression or anxiety are experiencing these new feelings, and I am truly sorry if you are going through it.</p><p id="1c41">After two years of being therapist-free, I had to begin sessions again. Even though she has taught me so much in such a short amount of time, I can't help but think “Am I going to need therapy for the rest of my life?”</p><p id="e331">Thinking that you cannot go through this by yourself is damaging to your own self-confidence. Be that as it may, it is extremely comforting to find someone to rely on, someone to open up to, someone who will hear you judgment-free.</p><p id="8792">The amount of things we have lived through this year are enough to last three lifetimes, and we are only halfway done. It has been hard and emotionally exhausting. We have been deprived of the little things that bring us joy in our daily lives, like going out to eat and hanging out with friends.</p><p id="98a7" type="7">“We must use this time to combat the little voice inside our minds that makes us feel like someone we are not.”</p><p id="5a07">What I have learned after these six months and weekly sessions with my therapist is that instead of letting global events affect us, we must use this time to combat the little voice inside our minds that makes us feel like someone we are not. We need to be in tune with our mind, body, and self. Granted, it is so much easier said than done, but do not be discouraged.</p><p id="781d">When a person is dealing with mental health issues, it is extremely common for them to lock themselves in their room, to keep to themselves, and overthink about things they have no control of. A way to avoid this is to find things that make you feel like you are living your normal life.</p><h2 id="4363">Have

Options

a routine and stick to it</h2><p id="46dd">By having a routine, you are living the most normal life you can during crazy times. Setting an alarm and waking up early in the morning will make your day be more productive, and you will feel better about yourself the rest of the day. Find something that makes you excited to wake up in the morning like a cup of coffee, a good breakfast, yoga, or meditation.</p><h2 id="028d">Minimize screen time</h2><p id="1a93">With all the extra free time we have on our hands, it is easy to fall into the habit of scrolling through social media. While it may be fun and entertaining, it can also become a slippery slope in terms of mental health. You may find yourself finding depressing news stories or even comparing yourself to other people who show their “perfect” lives for others to see.</p><h2 id="8934">Facetime your friends</h2><p id="a0dd">It is a known fact that humans need socialization. We are known to be social creatures and we need that human interaction to survive. Being with people we love makes us release endorphins, making us happier people. Although we are not able to socialize like before, we can take advantage of the advances in technology. Now, we can speak to our friends through our screens. Although it is not ideal, it is a way to release those endorphins and feel happier.</p><h2 id="0ef0">Read books</h2><p id="4a03">Reading is a great way to pass the time, but we usually don’t have enough time to do it. Reading will help separate you from your own thoughts and focus on something else that interests you. It is also very relaxing and comforting to hold a book in your hands.</p><h2 id="63d1">Find a hobby</h2><p id="35fe">Finally, finding a new hobby can give you a new meaning to life. It can make you wake up excited in the morning and find new talents you didn’t know you had, eventually helping you have a stronger mindset.</p><p id="b349">Fighting mental health is a long, hard process, and the global situation we are in will only make it more difficult. Remember the most important thing to do is to take care of yourself. Prioritize your health, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Find someone to speak to, you will soon realize you are not alone.</p></article></body>

How 2020 is affecting people vulnerable to mental health issues

2020 has been the worst year so far, and we’re only halfway through it.

I have had the idea to write this article for a while, but every time I sat in front of the computer, I got severe anxiety from what people would think. After weeks of having a constant inner struggle deciding whether to write it or not, new heart-crushing news came out (George Floyd’s murder, protests, riots, etc.) I decided that if I wanted to stop the taboo that exists around mental health, sharing my own story would need to be the first step.

“I let terrifying thoughts determine the way I feel, the way I act, and the way I look at myself.”

Like many people in this day and age, I have dealt with anxiety, eating disorders, and depression. I have spent the last 10 years of my life dealing with a constant battle between myself and my mind. I have let terrifying thoughts determine the way I feel, the way I act, and the way I look at myself. Years of negative thoughts have made me feel unworthy, unlovable by others, and even worse, by myself.

In 2019, after years of being treated by different therapists, taking medication, and working really hard on myself, I was finally able to say I had beaten the mental monsters that are these disorders. I was in a great place, I was genuinely happy and excited for what was to come in my life. I graduated college, started a loving relationship, and found true friends that I know will last for a lifetime.

Everything was great until the new year came around. By now, I think most of us believe 2020 has been the worst year so far, and we’re only halfway through it. We are experiencing things that have happened before, but never accumulated in the same six months.

The apocalyptic feeling has damaged all the hard work I have achieved in my mental health, and I am 100% positive I am not the only one. The feeling that the situation is never-ending, that we will never go back to normality, that there is no way for this to end is so damaging for people who already felt this at some level before a world pandemic began. I am sure, even people who had never gone through depression or anxiety are experiencing these new feelings, and I am truly sorry if you are going through it.

After two years of being therapist-free, I had to begin sessions again. Even though she has taught me so much in such a short amount of time, I can't help but think “Am I going to need therapy for the rest of my life?”

Thinking that you cannot go through this by yourself is damaging to your own self-confidence. Be that as it may, it is extremely comforting to find someone to rely on, someone to open up to, someone who will hear you judgment-free.

The amount of things we have lived through this year are enough to last three lifetimes, and we are only halfway done. It has been hard and emotionally exhausting. We have been deprived of the little things that bring us joy in our daily lives, like going out to eat and hanging out with friends.

“We must use this time to combat the little voice inside our minds that makes us feel like someone we are not.”

What I have learned after these six months and weekly sessions with my therapist is that instead of letting global events affect us, we must use this time to combat the little voice inside our minds that makes us feel like someone we are not. We need to be in tune with our mind, body, and self. Granted, it is so much easier said than done, but do not be discouraged.

When a person is dealing with mental health issues, it is extremely common for them to lock themselves in their room, to keep to themselves, and overthink about things they have no control of. A way to avoid this is to find things that make you feel like you are living your normal life.

Have a routine and stick to it

By having a routine, you are living the most normal life you can during crazy times. Setting an alarm and waking up early in the morning will make your day be more productive, and you will feel better about yourself the rest of the day. Find something that makes you excited to wake up in the morning like a cup of coffee, a good breakfast, yoga, or meditation.

Minimize screen time

With all the extra free time we have on our hands, it is easy to fall into the habit of scrolling through social media. While it may be fun and entertaining, it can also become a slippery slope in terms of mental health. You may find yourself finding depressing news stories or even comparing yourself to other people who show their “perfect” lives for others to see.

Facetime your friends

It is a known fact that humans need socialization. We are known to be social creatures and we need that human interaction to survive. Being with people we love makes us release endorphins, making us happier people. Although we are not able to socialize like before, we can take advantage of the advances in technology. Now, we can speak to our friends through our screens. Although it is not ideal, it is a way to release those endorphins and feel happier.

Read books

Reading is a great way to pass the time, but we usually don’t have enough time to do it. Reading will help separate you from your own thoughts and focus on something else that interests you. It is also very relaxing and comforting to hold a book in your hands.

Find a hobby

Finally, finding a new hobby can give you a new meaning to life. It can make you wake up excited in the morning and find new talents you didn’t know you had, eventually helping you have a stronger mindset.

Fighting mental health is a long, hard process, and the global situation we are in will only make it more difficult. Remember the most important thing to do is to take care of yourself. Prioritize your health, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Find someone to speak to, you will soon realize you are not alone.