How to Help Your Mental Health When You're Sick

By: Kelly Halonen, MSW,RSW

​Our mental health and our physical health both affect each other. When one of them is doing poorly, the other can also begin to deteriorate. When we are sick it is important to take care of ourselves not only physically, but mentally as well. ​

I find that this is especially the case with the current flu season that is upon us. Because it is hard to tell what is a cold or flu, and what may be COVID-19, we now have to isolate. On one hand, this allows us time to recuperate and get better. On the other, isolation can worsen the state of our mental health. 
 
​As I’m writing this article, I am currently isolating myself for what I believe is a head cold. I have gotten tested and am awaiting the results, which can take 2-3 days. Instead of pushing through and going to work like normal, I am forced to stay home until I am symptom-free. Normally this can be a nice break from work. However, for myself, I find that with the lockdown not so far behind us, I am instantly put back into how I felt during that isolation. I can feel myself already becoming squirrelly and feeling depression symptoms as I sit at home. To help combat these symptoms, it is important to try to do things to care for your mental health as well. Here are some things I have found helpful. 

Take Care of Your Physical Health. Like I said in the beginning, mental and physical health affect each other. So, while you are home, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, get enough sleep, and eat regular, nourishing meals. This will benefit you overall.

Do Little Things You Like. When we are feeling sick, the last thing we want to do is anything at all. We want to just lay on the couch. Doing little things that you enjoy can help your mental health as you exert minimal effort. This can be watching your favourite movie or television show, cuddling with a pet, calling a friend, painting your nails, etc. While you may not notice this makes a huge difference in your mental health, even doing something small can help you from feeling worse. For those of you who live with other people, sometimes a well-meaning prank (nothing cruel, please) like leaving every single cupboard door open to see their reaction can be a fun way of adding some humour to an otherwise tough situation.

​Shower/Bathe. Once again, this can be hard to do when you aren’t feeling well. But by making sure you bathe or shower, you can feel clean which can help you feel better. You can feel accomplished for doing this, and feel as if some of the “sickness” has washed away. 

Change Your Clothes. Even if you just change into a different pair of pajamas. It is important to change your clothes. This can once again help you feel clean and fresh, and it is another small accomplishment that you can be proud of.

​Fresh Air. By stepping into your backyard, or opening a window for a few minutes, the fresh air can help rejuvenate you. It can be refreshing and something different than what you have been experiencing. Nature can have amazing benefits, so even just doing what you can by sitting in the sun or smelling the air, can help you begin to feel better overall.

​Doing Something Small Around the House. If you’re like me, when you are sitting at home you think of all the things you should be doing. However, you are sick and don’t have the energy to do those things. This unfortunately doesn’t make the guilt go away. What you can do is something small on your “to-do list.” For me this time, it is wrapping Christmas presents early. For others, it can be washing “the big stuff” like dirty frying pans without doing the rest. It’s something that doesn’t take too much effort and will help me later on. So if you feel like you HAVE to do something around the house, make sure it is something small that you can accomplish. This way you will still have the energy to heal, and you will be able to finish that task and feel accomplished, making the guilt diminish.