By Pamela Hernandez
When your knee or arm hurts, your first thought is to go to a doctor and find out why you feel pain. However, when you are mentally exhausted, that is, you feel slow, sad, irritable and with little concentration. Who do you turn to?
Is there something or someone that helps to understand what is happening with you and what part of the body is being affected? The answer is yes, and the affected part in your body is your mind.
We have probably heard about mental health many times, but what is it really?
According to the World Health Organization, mental health is defined as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not only the absence of diseases or illnesses."
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the world population has reported having anxiety, depression, panic attacks and stress because of it. It has been a difficult process of adaptation since we have not had experience in a global pandemic. There are exercises that can help.
Here's what the WHO recommends:
Maintain a routine: keep order in your daily activities.
Reduce exposure to news, and in case of receiving news, give yourself the task of investigating the source. Not everything the internet says is true.
Maintain social life at a distance: live through calls, video calls and text messages with your family and friends. If possible, be in an open place keeping your distance and wearing masks.
Remember that your mind is just as important as your body, do not underestimate your feelings and emotions.
Norwalk Community College has a counseling service in which they have professionals who help and guide students. If you want support or guidance in this process, you can get in touch at the following telephone number 203-857-7121 or go online to this link. https://norwalk.edu/counseling-services/
Fortunately, there are many things to do to maintain mental health and support people in need.
Finally, remember that if it is not necessary to go out, stay at home and wear your mask everywhere.