Let’s talk about mental health!!

During COVID, mental health has been a big topic to arise. We all not only have to live through a pandemic but many of us, especially in Los Angeles, are still doing school online. Being on zoom for hours each day is extremely draining, and it has come to the point when every day feels like it is on repeat. I wake up, eat breakfast, go to school, go on my phone or watch youtube, tv, or tik tok, do homework, and then maybe have another activity to do. I have been struggling with staying on track and maintaining a healthy schedule. I often find myself scrolling on tik tok late at night and struggling to get out of bed for my first class (I hit snooze a lot :)). Clearly, this time has been difficult for everyone, however, we do need to recognize that this pandemic has impacted everyone differently. I feel so grateful and fortunate for what I have, because I know others have it so much worse. I think, especially during these difficult times, it is so vital to attempt to think about something positive no matter how hard it is. That being said, COVID has allowed me to grow in ways that I did not expect and has allowed me to reflect on what is important. Today, I am going to write about my top 5 tips that have helped my mental health during this pandemic.

1. Get Outside

This is by far the best thing I have done and it can manifest itself in so many different forms. For me getting outside is something as simple as going on a walk to something that requires more energy and effort like going surfing. It is so vital to get off screens and to take a break from all the craziness in the world right now. This summer I was lucky enough to get to go backpacking in Yosemite, which really allowed me to think about what I value and what I love, so, for 2021, I have tried to implement some of these things in my life, such as soccer. To me, soccer is an escape and I really want to get better at it, so I have made it a goal to practice more on my own in addition to club practices and to focus on bettering myself that way.

Some of the best ways to get outside:

• Walking

• Hiking

• Surfing

• Skiing or Snowboarding

• Bike Riding

• Swimming

• Running Outside

2. Dancing and Singing

This might sound crazy, but dancing has really helped motivate me and inspire me to get work down and to be more confident in myself. What I do is I either blast music in my kitchen late at night and dance around singing High School Musical, One Direction songs, or random songs that make me feel good and give me serotonin, or I will sing my heart out to sad songs while laying in my bed. Even though I cannot dance or sing to save my life, music has provided me with an escape from reality and has, in turn, allowed me to be more productive. If you want some of my playlists, please let me know, I would be SO honored to spread my love for music and my music taste with anyone else who is interested.

3. Journaling

At the start of 2021, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to start journaling. I originally thought I was going to do it every day, but I have decided to write whenever I feel compelled to. I write down anything from what happened that day to something that has been on my mind and has been bothering me to my opinions on a global event. It has been a great way to express my feelings. If you do not want people to read your journal, what I do when I write about something that caused me pain is I will take a picture on Snapchat, write on it, and then put it in my my eyes only because only I have access to that, so it is a great place for me to store my deepest thoughts. At the end of each journaling session, I will write down 3 things I am grateful for and 3 positive things that have happened the past week, so I can remember to spread love and happiness not only to myself but to others as well.

Side Note: My favorite time to journal is late at night with a candle on because it really sets the scene and gets me in the writing mood.

4. Watching Movies or TV Shows

I know we are on screens so much, but I feel that a really good movie or tv show has let me sink deeper into my emotions and has provided another escape from reality. Last night, I watched Inside Out and watching it again now that I have grown up a bit since it came out has provided me with another perspective on it. I legitimately started balling my eyes out, and it was one of the best feelings ever. I do not typically like to express my feelings, but music and cinema connect to the part I do not express and lets me see a version of myself through another perspective.

5. Writing Down My Goals

I have so many things that I am passionate about that I want to do. These ideas come to my mind around 2 am and usually the next day I forget them. Writing these goals down has been a great help to me because when I am feeling down or lonely, I can look back at these goals and use them to focus on something positive in the future. Yes, it will be hard work accomplishing them, but I know that deep down I have it in me, so it gives me something to look forward to.

I hope these tips have helped you in any way, shape, or form. 2020 and 2021 have been so difficult for a wide variety of reasons, and I think it is so valuable to focus on mental health because it affects every aspect of your life. I would like to give a shoutout to one of my closest friends, we were talking about my blog and the direction I wanted to go with it, and she mentioned how sustainability can manifest itself in so many different ways, not just in terms of the environment. The way she set it up and discussed it really helped me gain a new perspective on this blog. She knows who she is, so thank you so much!! This is important because it connects to the lifestyle part of my blog, so get ready for some more tips on how to live a sustainable life in many different ways.