Mental Health during COVID-19
If you would look back from past years, who would think that you would spend 24 hours a day 7 days a week inside your home. According to Doctor Ingram of the Los Angeles Health Department being in Isolation for too long could trigger depression and anxiety. From March of 2020 until April of the same year phone calls for mental health concerns have drastically increased by 40%.
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Doctor Ingram emphasizes that exercise is the number one prescription for mental health-related concerns during the quarantine period, as posted by www.mayoclinic.org regular exercise may help ease depression and anxiety by releasing the “feel-good hormone” endorphins, natural cannabis-like brain chemicals (endogenous cannabinoids) and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being. It would also take your mind off worries so you can get away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression and anxiety.
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Regular exercise has many psychological and emotional benefits, too. It can help you:
- Gain confidence. Meeting exercise goals or challenges, even small ones, can boost your self-confidence. Getting in shape can also make you feel better about your appearance.
- Get more social interaction. Exercise and physical activity may give you the chance to meet or socialize with others. Just exchanging a friendly smile or greeting as you walk around your neighborhood can help your mood.
- Cope healthily. Doing something positive to manage depression or anxiety is a healthy coping strategy. Trying to feel better by drinking alcohol, dwelling on how you feel, or hoping depression or anxiety will go away on its own can lead to worsening symptoms.
In conclusion, it is not the virus alone that we should worry about during this pandemic. Being healthy holistically will get you through these trying times and daily exercise will get you there in one piece.