Coping with COVID
We’re less than two months away from 2021 and it’s safe to say that 2020 was a rough year.
COVID-19 hit us like a ton of bricks. Most didn’t expect it. Many students went from being in school one day to being in an online class the next. Some thought it would last two weeks, and then kids started missing their proms, graduations, summers, and first days of school. Yep, it’s been rough!
That’s why taking care of the mental health of students is just as important as monitoring the mental health of adults.
NBC News put the toll it’s taking on teens into perspective.
“They struggle with seeing down the road into a post-pandemic world and they are asking, ‘What’s the point?’ Teens also aren’t great with delayed gratification, so losing milestones and rites of passage like graduations, birthday parties, athletic seasons are felt deeply.”
Social activities aren’t the only challenge: A recent interview from WBUR explains how college admissions is up in the air for students, causing immeasurable amount of stress.
"The stress level has definitely been higher with COVID in the mix, there's a lot more uncertainty," counselor Lucas Correia-Covert told WBUR. "There's definitely a fear of the unknown when it comes to the admissions process."
How can students handle the stress? Here are a few tips for every day management:
Practice Breathing: Of course we breathe, but when is the last time you stopped everything you were doing to take a few deep breaths, clear your mind, and refocus? Try these tips for some relaxing exercises.
Get Outside: Virtual learning and work from home requires us to be consistently connected to the internet and inside. In between classes, get up and go for a 15-minute walk to get some fresh air and sunlight, especially as the days are shorter with daylight savings time.
Disconnect: Between the election, new COVID cases, and virtual learning, when are we not on some sort of device? The only time we’re not looking at a screen is when we’re sleeping. Plan some intentional time to disconnect from your phone, TV, and computer and focus on activities that can get your brain moving in other ways, like exercise, reading, or gardening.
While these tips can be helpful, we recommend that students reach out to an adult if they are having a rough time coping with COVID-19 and stressors.
Cirkled In wishes all families safety during this time!
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