5 mental health tips as we wait for the pandemic to end – Tampa Bay Times

Things will likely improve in the coming months. Heres how to get through the hard part.

After a long, isolating year, hope is in sight with vaccines arriving in Florida hospitals and nursing homes. But as exciting as the idea of pandemic-free life sounds, the end could still be months away.

Anytime that you have something as big as this pandemic has been, and you start to hear that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel, people are going to anticipate that, said Dr. Ryan Wagoner, vice chairman for clinical services at USF Health Psychiatry and Behavior Neurosciences. Theres that surge of, This is finally going to be over.

Wagoner says its normal if you feel a bit of a slump after the initial excitement of seeing vaccines roll out. He compares it to waiting for an online shopping order and then finding out the package has been delayed.

Youre still excited about it coming in, he said. But theres obviously that sense of letdown in that you still have to wait for it. And so of course, people are going to get stressed and feel anxious about that.

As we anticipate improvements in 2021, here are some tips for getting through vaccine limbo.

Experts estimate that the coronavirus vaccines wont be widely available until at least March or April. Surveys show that a number of health care employees are wary of the quickly-developed shots, and many people may wait even longer to get their immunizations.

Its all well and good to look forward to early spring when the vaccine might be widespread, Wagoner said. However, its also really important to focus on things that you can accomplish in little bites.

Instead of fixating on how long things are taking, immerse yourself in achieving small goals. Focus on finishing a home improvement project. Dont forget to set a reward, such as treating yourself to takeout.

Theres more encouraging news about medical advances than during earlier points in the pandemic, from the vaccine rollouts to the FDA approving at-home coronavirus tests. That good news comes mixed with reports of rising coronavirus cases and deaths. Even seeing posts from friends getting the vaccine can have a negative effect, Wagoner said.

Its helpful because it gets out there that the vaccine is safe, people are getting it, he said. But on the other hand, people who may not receive it for weeks to months from now, that may make them feel worse.

You dont have to quit Twitter cold turkey. Instead, set aside specific times to scroll (a morning check-in, during lunch, and once more in the evening). This gives you something to look forward to without overloading.

If you need to be informed, great, but dont let it consume you, he said. Because I do see that happened with folks, especially when theyre isolating, especially when theyre feeling stressed.

Pandemic routines like mask wearing, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings wont be with us forever. But fantasizing about getting back to how things used to be may set up an unrealistic expectation, Wagoner said. What most people crave is not going back in time, but getting consistency back into their life.

Were different people every single day, and so are we going to return to exactly like we were before all of this hit? Of course not, he said. There have been many things that have changed, some actually for the better.

Wagoner recommends thinking about how to implement new things weve picked up in this pandemic lifestyle rather than trying to get back to how things used to be.

You may have trouble convincing your family to hold off on hosting large gatherings or telling your friends to avoid crowded bars and indoor restaurants. If talking doesnt help, you may have to remove yourself in that situation, which could end in hurt feelings.

The biggest thing that Ive found helpful is to emphasize what you yourself are comfortable with, and that that has nothing to do with the other people, Wagoner said. So its not that you dont want to visit with your parents. Its not that you dont want to see your cousins.

If you choose to stay away from friends and loved ones for health reasons, find ways to still spend time together from a distance. Call someone you havent spoken to in months. FaceTime your coworkers. Even try writing handwritten letters.

Physical isolation does not equal social isolation, he said. You can still maintain contact even if youre not in the same place.

The idea of planning a getaway or buying tickets for an event in spring 2021 may be tempting. Wagoner said this isnt a bad idea but only if you dont mind going with the flow.

If youre a person that finds that anytime a plan changes that upsets you or stresses you out, I probably wouldnt recommend doing something like planning vacations in the summer, because theres still a lot of unknowns, he said.

Pay attention to your feelings and reach out if needed. Feeling some sadness and anxiety is normal, but if your appetite, sleep or energy levels are affected, get help.

To find a mental health professional, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.

Additionally, the following 24/7 crisis hotlines provide free, confidential emotional support:

Offbeat Florida and Nostalgia Reporter

More here:
5 mental health tips as we wait for the pandemic to end - Tampa Bay Times