How to Care for Yourself
Whenever you’re experiencing a stressful change in routine, it’s helpful to have some go-to coping skills that you can use to prioritize your mental health.
Think about the things you do to relax or have fun. Those are always a good place to start. Some coping strategy ideas are:
- Engaging your mind: Read a book, journal, watch a show you enjoy, pray or meditate
- Engaging your body: Take a walk, exercise, clean, garden
- Engaging your senses: Listen to music, cook/bake, take a bath
- Connecting with others: Talk with a family member or friend, set up a virtual call to chat face to face, play a game with others online or within your household
It’s also incredibly important during stressful times to make sure you’re taking care of your physical health as well as your mental health. This means getting enough sleep, drinking water, eating healthy foods, and trying to move your body in whatever way you can. This is important for you and your family! If you aren’t taking care of your basic needs, stress intensifies. If you’re finding that you’re still struggling to maintain your mental health, we want to help you manage your symptoms.
Is Online Counseling Right For Me?
If you’re having difficulty coping with your stress, anxiety, and fear right now, Thriveworks Chesterfield clinicians are available to provide support and therapy services. Some signs and symptoms to notice: Difficulty sleeping or too much sleep, appetite changes, increased crying, lack of motivation, increased irritability, racing thoughts, disinterest in activities you normally enjoy, and isolating yourself from other members of your family. If you have been experiencing some of these symptoms, or others that are concerning to you, it may be a good time to reach out for help.
Therapy services are currently being offered via telehealth or online counseling. This means that you could videoconference or even have a therapy session over the phone from the comfort of your own home. Most insurance companies are covering telehealth or online therapy services for the immediate future to allow for more people to access therapy services.
The actual appointment would occur similarly to an in-person appointment. Your therapist would orient you to the therapy process and work to create a comfortable and safe environment for you to talk about your stressors and concerns. Therapy can help you process through your current overwhelming feelings and emotional experiences and help you to find new ways to cope with them.
Telehealth or online counseling can sound strange and uncomfortable if you’ve never done it before. That’s okay! Your Thriveworks Chesterfield online counselor can help you get it set up on your computer or phone. All that’s required is a device with a camera and access to the internet – this can be a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Not sure how to find some privacy? Schedule therapy during child nap times or find a quiet room in your house and shut the door. You can play music outside the door to help with sound privacy, if needed. If you have a spouse, partner, older family member, or friend in your home, ask them for help with childcare for an hour.
Thriveworks Chesterfield online counseling mental health professionals are offering early morning, evening, and weekend appointments—as well as appointments during the day—to help work around your new schedule. Many people who call have an appointment scheduled within 24 hours.
To make an appointment with a Thriveworks Chesterfield therapist for online counseling call us today.
