The counselor offers tips on how to fight depression during a pandemic

KOKOMO, Ind. - Cold weather, shorter days and little sunshine can make the winter season difficult for many.

Add to this nearly a year of isolation and concern over the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is the potential for significant increases in anxiety, depression and other mental health issues in the home in the first few months of 2021.

However, there are steps you can take to combat these issues and help is just a phone call or email away. Elizabeth Barnett, a licensed mental health consultant and director of counseling and psychology at Indiana University in Kokomo, said mental health problems are a side effect of the pandemic that is not talked about as much as the physical effects.

"There is another general sense of fear in the world today," he said. "The death toll and detection rates for positive coronavirus are presented to us daily. Then add winter insulation. ""

In some cases, a little self-care can help lessen the effects of these stresses. However, Barnett said if you lose interest in the things you used to love, slept all the time or not at all, or ate more or less than usual, these are signs that it might be time to seek help.

In other cases, a little affection can minimize the effects: getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising, interacting with people in one way or another, and maybe even finding a new hobby.

"The next physical means to mimick an antidepressant is exercise," said Barnett. "If you exercise and use your body well, you can combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. Get up and move. Simply cleaning or running the vacuum cleaner will make you feel better. The more you move, the more you want to move. ""

Barnett also suggests making a schedule and writing down your regular meals and sleep.

"Sometimes in a situation where we are not leaving our homes, it is easy to close our personal clocks," he said. "It is important that we give ourselves time to get enough sleep. If you don't sleep, you will find it harder to remember everything you have learned. This is important for our students so that what they learn in the classroom is properly classified mentally.

Without a schedule, it's also easy to eat instead of intentionally eating good protein, fruits, and vegetables that nourish and energize our bodies, he added.

Many people have some free time, they already have a busy schedule so they can try something new or start a small home improvement project.

"Winter is a great time to play the guitar, take a virtual tour of a national park, or take great photos on your phone," he says. "Bringing your attention to something that was a bucket list item can really improve your mood."

Finding ways to connect with others is crucial, as is knowing when you have had enough.

"Humans are inherently relational," said Barnett. "We need each other. It's easy to isolate yourself at home, but be reached either by zooming in or by phone. Don't feel compelled to do more than your comfort level allows, but don't feel as isolated as it is is. " alone in the void. Keep taking your own emotional temperature. It's okay to set your own limits. It's good to stay away from social media, but it's also good to indulge in a game.

IU Kokomo students can contact the CAPS office for free consultation. Appointments are available online or in person from one of the six advisors. Teachers and staff have access to free advice through the staff support program.

In the community, people can reach a counselor by calling 2-1-1, United Way's information and referral hotline.

Education is key at Indiana Kokomo University.

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