It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared, or angry during a crisis. Talking to people you trust can help. Stay connected and contact your friends, family, and others you care about virtually via call, text, FaceTime, Skype, or another platform.
If you stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle – including proper diet, sleep, exercise, avoid using substances to deal with your emotions, and maintain social contacts with those at home and virtually with others. Physical activity and movement can help - practice yoga, stretch, do an exercise routine from home, or go for a walk and get fresh air (just remember to maintain social distancing guidelines).
Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk and reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as the WHO, CDC, or a local or state public health agency. Salem State also continues to post regular communication with the SSU community, so continue to monitor the SSU website.
Limit worry by being mindful of and lessening the time you spend watching, reading, or listening to media coverage that may be upsetting. Focus on what you can control: wash your hands, make a daily routine, arrange a calming space in your home, and take breaks when you can.
Practice self-care and do something you enjoy. Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you manage previous life’s adversities and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during this challenging time. This may be reading a book, watching a favorite show, or practicing deep breathing or mindfulness.
If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker, counselor, or reach out to another resource. Many mental health and crisis resources have call, text, and chat options: https://namimass.org/wp-content/uploads/crisisservices.pdf. Have a plan for where to go to and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required.
*This information was adapted from the World Health Organization
Remote Wellness Opportunities
National Resources
Mental Health Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and download the NAMI Resource and Information Guide
Regional Resources
Emotional health and well-being amidst the COVID19 outbreak
Remote Wellness Activities
Calm: Free meditation videos, sleep videos, and other mindfulness resources
Headspace: offering free meditations, sleep, and movement exercises
Sanvello and Active Minds: Free meditation for students when you use your “.edu” email address
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga: Join any of these free sessions for any amount of time
YMCA: Free health and fitness videos including barre, weightlifting, Tai Chi, bootcamp, and more
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