Take care of your mental health … when self-isolating  due to direct contact

Thabazimbi – The phrase ‘trying times’ has never been more relevant – we are trying to stay healthy, trying to adjust to the new normal, trying to keep our jobs and just trying to survive! While we are trying to do all of this, we need to keep all our balls in the air. 

Platinum Bushvelder spoke to counsellor Daleen Venter to get a few tips on how to cope. 

“We all have to take a long hard look at what is important to us. For many it is success and when they can’t work or lose their jobs, they lose what is important to them and get depressed,” Daleen said.

In order to cope with this, she suggests that you look inwards and focus on who you are as a person:

• I am kind
• I am creative
• I am resourceful
• I am patient

Use these phrases to motivate yourself to rebuild yourself – I am creative, I can use this to do something else for an income… your self-worth is not defined by things you can lose it is defined by who you are as a person.

Another aspect of our trying times that takes a toll on our mental health is isolation. If you are not showing any symptoms but have to stay home, it can feel a bit pointless. Daleen shared insights into how to take care of your mental health if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive and now have to self-isolate for a few days:

Actively plan to stay busy. Use your qualities to do this – if you are a very organised person organise the cupboards.

If you are creative finish that painting or create something new. This is the perfect time to get to all the things you never have time for. Most of all, avoid social media…because it is a bit addictive it can lead to hours of unproductiveness, and it might feel like you have waisted time that could have been better spend and make you depressed.

If you have nothing else to do and social media is a last resort, avoid reading the negative things and focus on funny video where you can laugh, and your brain can release serotonin to make you happy.
Watch this space in our next edition for information on how to cope mentally when you test positive.