Supporting our artist community is at the heart of what we do. Each day we’re going to be sharing some important tools, opportunities, and resources for artists on our blog. Follow along and reach out if you need additional support.

Today we’re going to talk about your options for how to take care of your mental health in a pandemic.

It’s okay to feel stressed or anxious during this time. COVID-19 has impacted every part of our regular lives, and it is important to care care of your mental health as we navigate new waters.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, here are some steps you can take to take control of your well being:

Manage how you consume information.

Constantly getting updates from around the world can be overwhelming. Try creating a time limit for checking news/social media. Be aware that false information also spreads rapidly, so always verify sources before sharing anything.

Follow healthy daily routines as much as possible

Make your bed, get dressed, connect with friends and family, stretch, make food, get enough sleep. Keeping a routine is important for “behavioral activation” which reinforces positive behaviors and can help depression.

Keep active

Take walks, dance to music, learn a TikTok Dance, practice yoga, whatever you can to keep your body moving. This can help with reducing your anxiety and helping you get a good night’s rest. You can find a bunch of free exercise videos to follow on Youtube, just search for pilates, yoga, HIIT, dance, cardio, etc)

Practice Mindfulness

Try focusing your attention on the present momenta and accepting it without judgment. Grounding exercises can help reduce stress and manage mental health symptoms. You can find a variety of mindfulness and gratitude practices online.

Stay connected with others and maintain your social network

Reach out to friends and family! Schedule group call times, ask if they need anything, play games online together, read or watch the same movie. Regularly check up on those who may have more limited social contact. FaceTime your friends and play Pictionary (scribbl.io) or Codenames (horsepaste.com).

Be kind to yourself

During a time of crisis, a trauma response is normal. When we experience trauma, we regress to a more childlike state, and seek to fulfill basic needs like feeling safe and being cared for. It is not necessary to measure yourself to your previous productivity standards, and it is important to recalibrate what a successful day looks like.