Mental Health and Wellness During Crisis

We understand that the challenges, both long- and short-term, of the current health crisis can lead to significant stress and anxiety.  Virginia's statewide cultural organizations have teamed up to provide these resources to our members and constituents. As you navigate through this unprecedented time, make sure to leave time for yourself, to reduce stress where you can, and give yourself permission to rest.  When you need a break, come here to review articles, get tips on dealing with stress, and find suggestions for self-care. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to help you stay healthy.

Articles and Tips

Burnout in the Digital Age: How to Avoid Workplace Stress

Read an overview of the mental health challenges inherent in the COVID crisis, from the Centers for Disease Control.

Another overview of mental health and COVID, from UK resource, Rehab4Addiction

This article, from Boston.com, has a quick list of tips to keep in mind for reducing stress.

An online portal of resources to help you deal with mental health issues related to COVID, from Psych Hub.

Learn more about mental health and social distancing, from the American Psychiatric Association.

Self-care tips from the Mayo Clinic.

Tips on staying positive during a crisis, from Psychology Today.

Coping with COVID is a video with mental health tips for creatives during this time.

5 Ways to Stay Present During a Pandemic, from The Innerwork Center.

Coronavirus: A Guide for Better Mental Health, from Rehab 4 Addiction

Virginia Community Response Network is offering free counseling to essential workers, first responders, teachers, healthcare workers, and others. 

ARK Behavioral Health has a great page of free resources for COVID-related mental health and addiction.

Getting Better Sleep to Help your Mental Heath--try this resource from Slumberyard with sleep apps, and determining how you sleep

Exercises

Try this trauma-sensitive yoga routine, suggested by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Some anxiety reducing exercises, from Healthline.com.

Some meditation tips for artists, from Artwork Archive.

Shine.com has created a Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety Project to help ease anxiety.  Explore their meditation and other exercises here.

If you weren't able to join VAM's Tuesday chat on mindfulness with John Taylor from the Innerwork Center, review the recorded chat here for exercises and tips.

Have some fun with this 14 day quarantine workout!

Use this coping calendar from actionforhappiness.org.

Take some time to learn new skills, or take courses online during this time--keep your mind active and engaged! 

  • https://www.edx.org/
    Gain new skills, advance your career, or learn something just for fun. EdX is a nonprofit offering 1900+ courses from the world’s best institutions including Harvard, MIT, Microsoft, and more.

  • https://www.khanacademy.org/
    Created by experts, Khan Academy’s library of trusted, standards-aligned practice and lessons covers math, grammar, science, history, and more. It’s all free for learners and teachers.