Uintah Basin Healthcare has shared a helpful video featuring their Behavioral Health provider Dr. Colver, offering helpful tips on maintaining mental health and emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. “First, it’s important to recognize that what we are experiencing right now is unprecedented,” shares Dr. Colver. “We’ve never been through anything like this in our lifetime. We are all figuring this out as we go…It’s normal for us to experience signs and symptoms of mourning. It’s normal for us to experience anxiety, depression, irritability, frustration, worry, [and] concern with all the unknowns out there. Graduations have been cancelled, wedding plans changed. And some of us are also experiencing questions of unemployment and also making major life adjustments when it comes to working from home…or homeschooling our kids. That adds a lot of additional stress.” Dr. Colver offers the following general tips during this unique time: When feeling anxious, stop and take 4-5 breaths to try and bring the anxiety level down to a more manageable and tolerable state. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Prioritize your to-do list and at the end of the day give yourself credit for what you have accomplished. Keep a routine and schedule going, especially for your sleep, and exercise as often as you can. Finally, be sure that while you are social distancing you are also finding ways to check in at least through technology with family, friends, and neighbors. “It’s very important to have this foundational support during times of crisis and hardship,” shares Dr. Colver. “Remember that we all respond to stress differently…Be patient, be forgiving and lend a hand.” If you or a loved one are in need of professional services please reach out. Uintah Basin Healthcare recently launched teleservices to help meet with patients through technology. View the entire message from Dr. Colver on the Uintah Basin Healthcare Facebook page.
