This topic began in February this year but was not quite ready for publishing. Recently we were contacted by an organisation Sunshine Behavioural Health who came across our page and topics we have regarding living through the pandemic. They had a guide on the pandemic and mental health that they wanted to share with us and our readers. One of their concerns was…..
Please see The us before the Pandemic. Self Care Ideas: Featuring Sunshine Behavioural Health which covers:
- Introduction
- Sunshine Behavioural Health Mental Health guides
- Pandemic Life Two Years Later
- Self-Care After the Pandemic
- YouTube Video Taking care of your mental health
- Illustrative examples: Pandemic Life Two Years Later
- Our Final Thoughts/YouTube video
© Copyright 2019 Grief Probate Journey Blog *PLEASE NOTE THIS INFORMATION IS SOURCED FROM UK and AMERICAN WEBSITES* It is also based on our own experience. *We are not experts in this field, we are speaking purely on our own experience with information sought from the internet to give further examples. *
1. Introduction
This topic began in February this year but was not quite ready for publishing. Recently we were contacted by an organisation Sunshine Behavioural Health who came across our page and topics we have regarding living through the pandemic. They had a guide on the pandemic and mental health that they wanted to share with us and our readers. One of their concerns was:
“People are afraid of resuming their regular lives, as polls have found that more than 75% of people are still afraid of being exposed to the disease at work.
Due to these concerns, we created a guide to help people to deal with the stress and anxiety of returning to work. It offers advice on how to manage stress and explains how they can find the support they need when they need it”.
They wanted to work with us to explain how COVID-19 is affecting Mental Health. As we feel strongly about Mental Health and Wellbeing we thought this was a great idea.
In this topic we speak about the impact the Pandemic has had on us, as well as some very useful resources from Sunshine Behavioural Health, and resources we have sourced from the internet.
Reflecting on a recent topic: The old me and Grief: Anticipatory Grief, it got us thinking the pandemic has changed us in a big way.
We had our journey of grief, we were trying to rebuild ourselves, and then the worldwide pandemic hit.
My sister and I were aware that we lived our lives as though we were:
- Moving from one bubble to the next
- Living alongside the world and society
- Existing and not living
- Doing what needed to be done to get through each day
We were finalising probate, awaiting news from the Ombudsman regarding the hospital complaint, and so we finally felt it was time to try and start getting back to ourselves a bit more.
Little did we know:
- What was ahead
- How the world would drastically change
- The effects this would have globally
- The effects it would have individually
We have never lived through anything like this, and just the same as with our grief journey this was 100% unknown with no guidebook.
The world literally changed overnight, and we had to adapt and adjust just like that.
For my sister and I being sociable when our Dad was hospitalised is something that we struggled with, but we tried our best to maintain this.
When the pandemic hit which meant:
- Staying home
- No social interaction
- Everything shut down
- Shielding
- Isolating
- Communicating only online
This changed so much for many people. As humans we are social beings, we are adaptable, but we are not programmed to not interact in person with one another.
The pandemic has had effects on the world in many ways. This is something that hasn’t been experienced for many people in their lifetime.
- Didn’t travel on public transport
- Drove to local shops even if I could have walked (so that I wouldn’t be around too many people)
- Only went out shopping
But it went steps further than this, I didn’t realise the impact it had had on me. My focus was on my mum, but I hadn’t realised what it did to me.
I thought I was reclused through the experience of my Dad. The pandemic quadrupled that.
I had become a shell of my former self. Even when restrictions were lifted, I didn’t go out, I stuck to everything I had been doing when the lockdown’s first happened.
I was doing therapy at the time, and I remember my therapist saying to me, I deserve to live. Those words really impacted me. For the first time, I realised I wasn’t living, I knew I felt that way, but to hear someone tell me this made it so much more real.
On another occasion, I was talking to a friend, and they were telling me they miss me. I was a part of their growing up, but this person that I am they do not know.
Combined with what my therapist said to me I felt like Woah…. Look at what was happening to me, and I wasn’t aware it was so bad.
Thankfully I have moved forward from that time.
- I have been on public transport. This is a major improvement especially as I used to have panic dreams that I was on a bus and people weren’t wearing masks, or they weren’t social distancing, and I would freak out.
- I socialise more with my friends
I do not ever want to go back to that headspace of where I was during the initial stages of this pandemic. This is now a part of our lives, we have to try our best to live our best life, keep ourselves mentally stable
My social anxiety is continuously through the roof, but I’m working my best to try and improve on that. With that, I am being as open and honest about how I’m feeling as possible.
Please see The us before the Pandemic. Self Care Ideas: Featuring Sunshine Behavioural Health:
2. Sunshine Behavioural Health Mental Health guides
2.1 Returning to “Normal” Mental Health, Post COVID-19 “People are returning to the workplace and classroom (or are planning to) as COVID-19 restrictions are eased. For some, anticipating a return to normal has become a source of stress, but understanding signs of stress can help people manage the condition and such transitions”.
About us “We believe that every person’s addiction story is different, which is why we equip our centers with licensed professionals for every unique treatment available. From holistic therapies to our faith-based counselors, and our 12 step or SMART Recovery programs, Sunshine aims to staff our facilities with the best of the best in all facets of addiction treatment”.
Our Mission “Our mission is to provide the highest quality substance abuse treatment services and deliver them with passion, integrity, and company spirit”.
3. Pandemic Life Two Years Later
3.1 Two years of COVID-19: loss and gain – Mental Health..
… “and will be different depending on where you live: more details and up to date information here. Over the past two years, the coronavirus pandemic has”…
3.2 Coronavirus – looking after your mental wellbeing – Mind
(10 Dec 2021) — “Further advice and support. We have lots more pages of advice and support for your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic, which are all”…
3.3 Coronavirus and mental health tips
(15 Dec 2021) — …”advice on ways to look after your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. … it’s also vital we look after our mental wellbeing”.
3.4 Coping with Stress – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
“CDC’s mental health website provides basic public health information about … to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic”.
3.5 Coronavirus and mental health tips
(15 Dec 2021) — … “advice on ways to look after your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. … it’s also vital we look after our mental wellbeing”.
3.6 Coronavirus: The possible long-term mental health impacts
“21 Oct 2020 — Chronic loneliness brought on by social isolation or “a lack of meaning” in life during the pandemic is another major concern, says Nippoda”.
4. Self-Care after the Pandemic
4.1 Self-Care: How to Do It Right Now | Everyday Health
(6 Oct 2021) — “After more than a year and a half, it’s become fully apparent that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live forever, from our work”…
4.2 Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus – Child Mind Institute
“Make time for yourself. The pandemic has been long, and even though the end is in sight, we’re all struggling to maintain our mental health. · Prioritize healthy”…
5. YouTube video: Taking care of your mental health
Focus on the world around you
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific
“Managing Stress: Self-help tips for people living in the Pacific Islands”
6. Illustrative examples: Pandemic Life Two Years Later
7. Our Final Thoughts/YouTube video
We were very pleased that Sunshine Behaviour Health reached out to us. As soon as we read the initial guide they sent us we knew right away this would be perfect for our blog and our readers. It’s exactly the type of information we like to share.
This topic was drafted last month, looking back over it now and reading it, I’m almost in a bit of shock. I know it’s what I lived through, but reading it makes it feel different. I’m happy I’ve managed to move forward from how I was, and as time goes on I’ll continue working on myself to progress even more.
Our parting words are from Sunshine Behaviour Health: ” Hope these guides help your readers and we are happy if it can help even one person to get right information”.
Grief Probate Journey 