PTSD During a Pandemic: 3 Ways to Manage Symptoms
1. Take Care of Your Physical Health
For many with PTSD, exercise offers a reliable, useful tool for managing anxiety and other symptoms. The physical exertion required for exercise provides several benefits. It works by burning off stress both physically and emotionally.
Increased blood flow and oxygen intake during exercise provide relief and positive invigoration. Exercise is proven to help with sleep disruptions, which are often a PTSD symptom. It also releases essential endorphins that are naturally mood-boosting.
The above benefits also help address emotional stress. Additionally, exercise enables you to focus on something outside of your thoughts. It provides a healthy distraction and pulls you out of negative thoughts, at least momentarily.
While some of your favorite exercise methods may be limited due to the pandemic (group sports or indoor gyms), consider outdoor runs, walks, or hikes. Or exercise in your home with free online videos.
Getting adequate sleep and limiting your use of alcohol and other substances is another critical element of physical care for PTSD during the pandemic.
2. Review Stress Management Options
Depending on how long you’ve lived with PTSD, you may already know what stress management options have worked in the past for you. With the reduced outlets and opportunities for stress management caused by the pandemic, these options may have fallen to the wayside. But it’s never too late to put them to use again or try something new.
In addition to caring for yourself physically, the following practices are often helpful:
Learning to focus on the positive instead of negative thoughts and misbeliefs
Practicing mindfulness meditation
Using deep breathing as a way to help yourself relax and lessen feelings of anxiety
Limiting your exposure to upsetting news and media about the pandemic and other events
Focusing on what you can control in your life right now
Looking for sources of stress that can be eliminated or reduced
3. Reach Out for Telehealth
Unfortunately, the pandemic means depression and anxiety levels have increased for many, many people. You are not alone if you’re feeling this way. When PTSD becomes more than you think you can handle on your own, don’t wait to reach out for help. An experienced counselor can help you identify triggers and build the skills you need to manage your symptoms, even during this time.
You may wonder how therapy is possible given social distancing and office closures. Thankfully, mental health therapists have readily pivoted to using telehealth sessions. This development means it’s still possible to seek therapy, despite physical restrictions. And researchers have found that telehealth therapy has proven to be just as effective as in-person therapy.
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Even though the pandemic has disrupted life as we know it, its effects don’t have to control your life. We’ve worked with many people in your situation. Together, we can identify a practical path forward to help you live with less anxiety and more peace. Please reach out to us today!