So, how might you help your son/daughter start COMING OUT OF COVID, shaking off that depression, and making new connections?
1. Many of us (myself included) have let COVID rid us of our routine schedules. Many of our routine commitments, whether they included work, school, family or day programming, have been altered. This left many people with wide open days with no set schedule. Under these circumstances, it is far too easy to stare at the phone and the tv for hours each and every day. For many people, especially people with disabilities, a routine can be really important to stimulate the mind and body - which fights off depression. I would HIGHLY recommend helping your family member create some sort of productive daily framework if they don’t have one already. Something as simple as:
- Monday - organize meals for the week, make lunch and take it to an elderly neighbor.
- Tuesday - run 3 miles, then spend 1 hour working on a home improvement, craft, or some other project.
- Wednesday - take dog to dog park, do laundry.
2. Another good idea is to try to do something physical every day. Physical activity is proven to positively impact depression. Physical activity can be gardening, walking, biking, even washing windows! Every day should include something physical and even better if its outside! Endorphins and Vitamin D are a real depression buster. You just might be surprised by the impact setting small expectations and a loose schedule for the day has on overall physical and mental wellbeing!
3. Spending time outdoors, especially at this time of year, can be healing to our emotional and mental health. Endorphins and Vitamin D are real depression-busters. It can be even more powerful when we make it a point to notice the beauty around us – easy to do now that things are blooming.
4. Something else I advised this mother was a 'fake it till you make it real' mentality. Depression and isolation can make an already negative thought even worse. Will everyday be good? Probably not! But will your son or daughter watch how you react and act accordingly? Absolutely. Do your best to maintain and model a positive and upbeat attitude.
5. Another strategy to deal with isolation is to find safe ways to be with people who share similar interests. Find out where other like-minded folks are hanging out, then go there to explore possibilities (following CDC guidelines, of course!). Visit your local golf course. Take your dog to the closest dog park. Join an outdoor yoga group. If your son or daughter is hesitant to go by themselves at first, work together to create a strategy for the support they need to get started. Hopefully, with thoughtful support (like having a sibling, cousin, or friend who shares the same interest to go along), they will feel more confident pursuing the adventure without your support.
6. Look to your local faith organization for connection. If in-person services have resumed, consider attending and perhaps inviting a church friend to an outdoor lunch spot after service. Perhaps your daughter/son could organize other ways to safely gather with others. There are likely other folks who are also feeling isolated. Organize a book club, landscape cleanup, or craft night.
7. Another possibility for social connection would be to invite someone you already know for a meal or activity. One man we support organized an outdoor movie night by projecting a movie onto a sheet hung on the back of his house. Clever, huh? Is there someone your family member could pack a picnic for and meet at the park to enjoy the meal? Or someone to meet at an outdoor coffee shop to catch up on the happenings of the last year?
8. Lastly, making a difference in the world is known to improve our self-esteem and reputation with others. What does your daughter or son care a lot about, have a passion for? Helping to feed the hungry, organize supplies at community ministries, cleaning out the church flower beds, etc. are all ways to contribute to community in ways that everybody wins.
These are just a few ideas for COMING OUT OF COVID for your consideration. Remember that the folks at Mattingly Edge are glad to help! If you have specific questions about your son or daughter, please feel free to email me at mbazeley@mattinglyedge.org
