SOVA Blog

by the_ruff

Social Media Spike

April 30, 2020 in COVID-19, Social Media Guide

Is it just me or am I going on social media platforms way more than usual? I think this is a trend that I can attribute to the COVID-19 pandemic. Being quarantined, having a stay-at-home-order, and being scared to leave the house leaves me with one thing I have abundantly more of now. Time.

I feel like I have so much more “free time” to just sit around, be lazy, watch tv, etc. What do I fall a victim to when doing this? The addicting content of social media. I know I am not the only one doing this. It seems there is way more content, COVID-19 related or not, on my timelines, newsfeeds, and stories.

Social media as a whole is already problematic. You find yourself wrongfully comparing yourself to what others are doing, achieving, or having. For those of us who don’t currently have jobs or school programs in session, it is difficult to watch everybody and their mother being offered these selective jobs or getting admitted into graduate study programs. In a normal period of time (without COVID), I would be nothing but delighted for my peers obtaining these accomplishments. But now, as I sit at home, being lazy, effortlessly and endlessly scrolling through social media with nothing else to do, I feel bitter. I turn this bitterness into self-hatred and low-self esteem. Why am I not getting these opportunities? Why am I the one who is not employed? Why them? Why me?

I should just delete my social media accounts, right? Sure, people are posting and sharing good and positive content. However, I don’t think it is enough to outweigh the negative or jealousy-inducing content. For some reason, I can’t find the motivation to get off social media. I think it stems from boredom and literally having zero else to do.

So what is my solution if not to delete social media? Create an organized schedule of things to do! I want to redirect the time I spend on social media doing other things that will actually benefit my mental health! Today is day one of setting a schedule that includes applying to jobs, responding to emails, going on runs and bike rides, doing a puzzle, watching TV, calling friends and family. I already feel better. Maybe this is considered opposite-to-emotion action. Regardless, it’s a healthy choice in the right direction.

Have you noticed a change in how often and how much you use social media? How have you felt about this change?

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by the_ruff

Extroverts and Introverts Struggling with Isolation During COVID-19

March 25, 2020 in COVID-19, Educate Yourself

For some introverts, the requirement of social distancing across the nation seems like the norm or a blessing. For extroverts, this serious increase in isolation and lack of socializing can have detrimental effects on mental health. However, this required isolation as a response to the COVID-19 epidemic in the US and across the world can be harmful to both introverts and extroverts.

Extroverts thrive off of social interaction, being out of the house, and out and about. But right now, they quite literally can’t because it would be harmful to their health and the health of others. So, what is to be done about this issue? There are other ways of communicating than face-to-face contact and conversation. For starters, pick up the phone and call someone. To get more of that face-to-face contact, log-on to a video calling app such as Skype or FaceTime. Throw it back old-school and write a letter! Or as a faster alternative, have an email pen pal! Maybe even get more into blogging and commenting on our posts here at SOVA!

Introverts who have harmful tendencies to isolate themselves can also struggle as a result of currently required isolation. It is often recommended that those who struggle with this use the “opposite to emotion action” skill. This skill encourages one to act the opposite (social) of your urge (stay isolated). If one can literally not socialize, they can suffer from only sinking further into isolation and depression. Pick up one of the ideas listed above—phone-calling, emailing, writing letters, video-calling—to start getting engaged. Practicing social interaction from a distance can be a life-saving measure for your mental health at this time. Plus, this can be a good start to developing your socializing skills and interaction for beyond this time of isolation.

Whether you are introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in the middle of those extremes, you need to stay engaged to keep your mental health sustained. It’s vitally important to not completely shut down just because the businesses, restaurants, and other locations may be shutting down. Stay active, stay connected, stay healthy in these isolated times to the best of your abilities.

Have you seen a change in your social skills and how you interact with people? In what ways have you been reaching out to people that you are not living with?

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by the_ruff

Eating Right to Promote a Healthy Mind

March 17, 2020 in Educate Yourself

There are various reasons to eat healthily. We often assume a diet is something that restricts our calories in order for us to lose weight. That may be one form of a diet, but that really may not be all that healthy for every individual. For someone struggling with mental health issues, I find eating the right foods and having a balanced diet can rejuvenate my mind.

Recently, I have tried to purchase foods that cater to my body type and will provide me with a lot of nutrients. This can be expensive as a fair warning; however, there is a way to buy the correct foods without spending a mini fortune. Make a list of exactly what you want for a week and set a budget and stick to it. So, what foods do I buy to make me feel physically and mentally more healthy?

I personally buy a diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. Protein gives my mind the extra kick it needs to keep going all day. I struggle with motivation and energy, something a lot of people with depression face. Buying foods that are high in protein–nuts, meat, eggs, greek yogurt, protein bars–make me feel like I am overcoming this lag. Maybe it is the placebo effect of eating healthy, but I personally find that it helps.

I also try to avoid processed foods and non-organic foods. These products contain artificial ingredients, are high in sugar and fructose corn syrup, are low in nutrients, and the chemicals in them can cause one to become addicted to them. This leads to an unhealthy lifestyle that is hard to break. So, do your best to avoid products that are heavily processed and not organic. Stick to what your body needs. As I said, I need a lot of protein, but ask a nutritionist or look online what is best for your body and mind.

You will be shocked at the benefits you experience when you eat right. To name a few: enough energy to get you through the day, more motivation, self-confidence, and body appreciation.

I have also recently begun taking multivitamins and other supplements to contribute to this “healthier body healthier mind” lifestyle. Changing what you eat in small and simple ways can have a huge impact on your daily mindset.

Have you ever made changes to your eating habits? How do you define a diet? How did they make you feel? How do you monitor your eating habits in a way so that it doesn’t add additional stress (whether mentally or financially)?

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