The winter months already take a toll on people\u2019s mental health, but throw in the COVID-19 pandemic into the mix, and that may make the winter blues even more challenging for some this year.<\/p>\n
Jessica Martin with Minto Mental Health says coping with that stress and anxiety is going to look a little different this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinding strategies that work for you as well as limiting the exposure to the news, if we overindulge in the news of the COVID-19 numbers and cases it causes stress and anxiety on us to,\u201d Martin said. \u201cSo, you\u2019re wanting to kind of navigate through that and control what you can and where you\u2019re getting that news from.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin says overconsuming that news can cause us uncertainty, like the world we are currently living in. She adds that more people have been reaching out for tools and strategies to cope with their mental health.<\/p>\n
Martin says it\u2019s important to try to maintain your regular routines as you navigate through your mental health during COVID-19 and the winter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re working from home, get up in the morning and have your breakfast, and then do your day and separate your home from your work because that\u2019s really important,\u201d Martin said. \u201cI know it\u2019s hard when we\u2019re working from home, but creating those routines and those skills is huge to keep our mental health strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
She says that also accepting that the anxiety and fear is normal, and that it\u2019s okay with COVID-19, as people are all experiencing new things during this second wave.<\/p>\n