10 Tips for Maintaining Your Mental Health

Authors: Brandon Chen, Charlie Liu, Jiahao Wu, Charles Zhao, Molly Zhao

Editors: Tiffany Chen, Joyce Hai, Demi Leng, Zehra Naqvi, Shannon Tan, Leon Zhou

Artist: Athena Mo

During this time of uncertainty and social distancing, everyone has been quarantined at home for long periods. Inevitably, this can lead to feelings of anxiety, agitation, isolation, and loneliness. Those with underlying mental health conditions, such as stress and bipolar disorder, are especially prone to negative mental health consequences, such as relapse and suicidal thoughts. However, don’t worry! It is completely normal to have some of the feelings mentioned above. Here are 10 tips to improve and maintain your mental well-being during this COVID-19 Pandemic.

1. Stay Informed

a. Read the news from trusted sources near you, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and your local health department

b. Don’t stay glued to the news! This will only heighten anxiety and distress, and it does not offer any practical benefits to mental health

2. Create Healthy Habits

a. Get into a routine for your daily life; yes, get off the couch!

b. Do not smoke and limit alcoholic beverages

c. Adjust to the “new normal” of life; integrate old and new hobbies into your routine

3. Stay in Shape

a. Build a workout program that interests you and try new at-home exercises.

b. Some good exercises include: yoga, hiking, jogging, walking, and gardening

c. Countless studies have shown scientific evidence for a positive correlation between

exercise and better mental health

4. Eat Clean

a. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet

b. Make sure to load up on whole fruits and vegetables and try to limit yourself from

snacking