Much like soldiers in a war, millions of LA citizens are on the front lines every day fighting to support their communities during the coronavirus pandemic. At a time when a vicious and sometimes deadly virus is spreading across the city, essential personnel is expected to come ready to work. On top of the fear of contracting the virus and spreading it to their families, LA essential workers must also deal with the stress of working long hours in sometimes uncomfortable environments.
Dealing with all of this on a daily basis is emotionally taxing. Unless they’re willing to walk away from the very jobs that support their families and help the communities they live in, LA essential workers must learn how to adapt. Part of that means taking care of your mental health.
Protect Yourself (And Your Family)
To reduce the fears you have of contracting the coronavirus and transmitting it to your loved ones, do the best you can to protect yourself. This means wearing the proper personal protection equipment, washing your hands regularly, removing your clothes and washing them, and cleaning your home regularly.
Some essential workers may decide that because of their level of exposure to the coronavirus, it is better for them to find a vacation rental or hotel in LA and stay separated from their loved ones. This is especially ideal if you have a relative living with you that falls in the category of high-risk (i.e. senior citizens, expectant mothers, and in some cases, children).
Make Health a Priority
Unfortunately, protecting yourself with good hand-washing practices, sanitizing, and personal protection equipment isn’t enough. To further ease your fears and to reduce the chances of contracting the coronavirus, your health should be a top priority.
While gyms in LA haven’t reopened just yet, you can get active in other ways including making a home gym and working out at home, taking a run around the neighborhood, or riding bikes through a nearby park. You should also make sure that you’re eating a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of sleep.
Speak Up When Necessary
Don’t allow your fears and anxieties during the coronavirus to build-up on you. If you feel that your mental or physical well-being is at risk in the workplace, it is important to speak up. Whether your employer has scheduled you for too many hours, the work environment has become too stressful, or you’re not being provided the adequate gear you need to remain safe, find someone with authority and let them know what your concerns are.
Continuing to work under those conditions and holding in your emotions will only cause your stress levels to rise which weakens your immune system, lowers your mood, and increases your risk of developing a plethora of physical and mental problems – including contracting the coronavirus.
Make Room for Social Interaction and Fun
When you’re off the clock, it’s important to tap into some of the joys of life. Catching up on your rest is certainly a priority, but don’t forget to make time for social interaction and fun. Though social distancing is still a requirement, there are plenty of things you can do in LA to have a good time and connect with others. You can video chat your friends and family, take an early-morning walk on a boardwalk, gather the family and take a trip to the park, have a small barbecue in your backyard, or simply cuddle with the family on the couch and watch a few movies. Doing these things, especially now, allows you to take your mind off of the negative and focus more on the positive.
Manage Your Stress
Stress can have harmful effects on your health, especially when it’s not managed. Chronic stress can cause insomnia, poor appetite or binge eating, headaches, and body pains. It can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness and infection. Long-term stress can also have devastating effects on your cognition and mental health. Hence, it’s essential to know how to manage stress.
One way to do that is to find an outlet for your emotions—in other words, a hobby. Try taking up a new hobby, like cycling or arts and craft. Or learn lock picking with a lock pick set. Hobbies are excellent for relieving stress, boosting your mood, and bolstering your confidence. In particular, fitness hobbies bring numerous benefits to your physical health and mental health.
Know When You Need Help
Being an essential worker in LA or anywhere in the country isn’t easy at all. There are so many things to stress about while trying to make a living and service the communities that rely on you. If at any time during all of this you start to feel physically ill or emotionally overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to get help. Whether it’s going to get tested for the coronavirus and following up with your doctor or looking for outpatient treatment options in LA for addiction or mental health problems, don’t allow it to build up.
It’s true that everyone is under a lot of physical and emotional stress as a result of the coronavirus and the changes to everyday life. Yet, LA essential workers have a diverse set of challenges they deal with on a daily basis. To get through this fight, it is imperative to prioritize your mental health using tips like those provided above.
Feature photo by Jonathan Borba
