HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — You turn on the t.v., and what you see can take a toll on your mental health.
However, WZDX News spoke to clinical psychologist, and Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Dr. Eric Seemann, and he says seeking good news helps.
"It's mindful - meaning it's something we have to actually think about doing and actually motivate ourselves to do, but it's worth it because it provides you with another frame of reference," says Dr. Seemann.
Dr. Seemann says from introverts to extroverts, this isolation affects us all.
"There are ways that all of them can cope. One of the most important is keeping in contact with other people," says Dr. Seemann.
Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime are ways to stay in touch. Another way to cope is to keep yourself busy.
"Everybody's got those two dozen things around the house you haven't done yet. Now you can use doing those things as sort of the motivator to do things you lack to do," says Dr. Seemann.
Dr. Seemann also suggests folks get adequate sleep, and exercise. Even with the 'Stay At Home' order, you can enjoy outdoor activities as long as it's 10 people or less, and you maintain a 6 feet distance.
Also, if this applies, Dr. Seemann suggests to maintain spiritual guidance.
"If you have any special religious beliefs, spiritual beliefs - be engaged in those," added Seemann.
"We're all going to be okay. We gotta follow the rules and get through it together. If you are listening to this, we think you're valuable. If you are feeling bad, call somebody," says Dr. Seemann.
He also encourages anyone who needs to talk to someone to call the Crisis Services of North Alabama as one of the groups to reach out to.
If you, or anyone you know is in need of suicide crisis prevention, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1(800)-273-TALK.
You can also receive local assistance from Crisis Services of North Alabama using their 24/7 HELPline at (256) 716-1000.
- If you are a veteran (or your loved one is a veteran), you can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255 and Pressing 1. You can also send a text to 838255.
- Crisis Services of North Alabama: (256) 716-1000
- Anonymous Text Crisis Line (256) 722-8219
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : 1(800)-273-TALK
- Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860
- You can call The Trevor Project, an LGBT crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline, 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386.
- Crisis Text Line 24/7 by texting “START” to 741-741.