By Dr. Trish Leigh Certified Brain Health Coach
The pandemic lifestyle is taking a toll on our physical and mental health. Use these tips to stay well during COVID-19 and this unprecedented time.
1.(Social) Media Distancing
We all know that we are supposed to distance ourselves from other people during this uncertain time. This practice is to preserve your physical health. Watching the news and scrolling for stories of COVID-19 will induce anxiety and stress you out, which is clearly detrimental to your mental health. Therefore, minute by minute you will be putting all the bad news of the day into your brain. This news will increase High Beta anxiety mode in your brain and if you do it often enough, you will hard-wire your brain to be stressed.
So, try some good news for a change. For example, try reading positive stories that lift you up each day. Also, doing so will help your brain stay in a healthy calm and focused place and help you deal with the reality of a quarantine lifestyle.
2.Focus on Purpose and Productivity (Not COVID-19)
A new study out of China shows that focusing on COVID-19 is one of the major factors for an increase in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (up 35.1%), depressive symptoms (up 20.1%), and sleep disturbances (18.2% increase). This can be devastating for our community.
If you are not spending your time and energy focusing on COVID-19 then what should you do instead. So focus on your purpose and stay intentionally productive.
For me, I have focused on three things: (1) My Work. I have mastered the science and art of home neurofeedback so I can help more people, and I have recorded over 400 YouTube videos to educate people about anxiety and focus. (2) Exercise. I have learned how to box using an app in my backyard (I am getting pretty good so watch out). (3) My Family. I have taken a siesta every day at the neighborhood pool with my kids.
When you focus on your purpose it keeps your brain’s energy in the middle using Alpha and Low Beta for calm focus. This helps you feel safer and more relaxed and helps others to feel the same because brains attune to each other. And that is how you can help the world right now.
Watch the video I made for a quick explanation and keep reading below to learn more about the topic.
3.Get Help to Reduce Anxiety If You Need It
So many people feel shame if they need help. Let me give you a spoiler alert. We all need help sometimes. I prefer a proactive approach to help. Seek out friends, neighbors, and professionals who can get you back on track and feeling better. If you are stuck in a worry loop and cannot control it, it might be time for a Brain Map, which I can do remotely within your own home now, to assess how stuck your brain is in anxious mode. Then you will know how your brain is performing and how to improve it.
Dr. Trish Leigh has been helping people with brain-based challenges for over 25 years. If you would like more information on how she can help you with anxiety, ADHD, and more, contact Dr. Trish Leigh at 919-401-9933 or contact her below.