‘Distraction is the key word’: How to ensure mental health amid coronavirus fears in Myrtle Beach
As Kaleign Styron spent her second consecutive day playing miniature golf with friends at Mt. Atlanticus in Myrtle Beach, she said it was good for her mental health to get out and find relief from the chaos stemming from the coronavirus outbreak.
Styron, a Spartanburg resident, is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, depression and severe anxiety. She said she spent her weekend vacationing in Myrtle Beach to get away from home for a bit, noting how feelings of fright and panic have become overwhelming as the nation works to gain control over the spread of COVID-19.
“I overthink things to the point of depression, so with stuff like this, I get so scared and I worry and I worry and I think and I think until I curl up in a ball and I don’t want to do anything,” Styron said. “So getting out and doing stuff like this, it really helps me so I don’t dwell into that.”
Whether she was playing mini golf, picking up shark teeth along the surf or renting a golf cart to ride along the boardwalk, she said the distraction helped alleviate her fear, asserting the importance of finding ways to keep your mental health in check during times of uncertainty.
While she advised those feeling similarly to either see friends, find safe activities to do outdoors, journal, read or even draw, Dr. Gerald Harmon, Vice President of medical affairs at Tidelands Health, agreed that while social distancing and personal hygiene are important, it’s equally imperative to maintain a semblance of mental health as stress becomes a prominent feeling.
“Don’t socially isolate yourself to the point of not talking to your support group,” Harmon said, referring to loved ones, whether it be your family, friends, clergy, therapists, etc. “Go out and walk and exercise, just don’t go to large social functions.”
With the confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the rise in Horry County, health officials continue to urge folks young and old to practice social distancing, limit unnecessary social interactions and wash their hands.
But for those struggling internally and emotionally, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention suggest you separate what is in your control from what is not, do what helps you feel a sense of safety, go outside and enjoy nature, find ways to challenge yourself to stay in the present and stay connected and reach out if you need support.
With times of crisis leading to an uptick of behavioral health issues, Harmon pressed, whether diagnosed or not, to follow your current health regimen, continue seeking medical care and to avoid skipping any medicine needed for treatment in fear of needing to go out to refill prescriptions.
Harmon also warned against perseverating on bad news that could result in reverting back to old habits whether someone is in recovery from an addiction or has a specific plan to manage a behavioral health diagnosis. He said to instead focus on the work being done to combat this virus.
“When you’re stressed it’s easy to let your guard down or lose focus,” Harmon said. “Isolate yourself and socially distance, but be careful if you have an underlying health issue or an addiction not to slip back into it.”
Philip Keilen, executive director at Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center, added that whether a person has pre-exisitng mental health issues or not, carving out the time to speak with a mental health professional to learn how to manage certain emotions or scheduling out your day can help alleviate feelings of anxiety and stress as the level of uncertainty increases.
Furthermore, whether someone is working, home with their children or self-isolating, he pressed the value in breaking to take a walk, engage in physical activity, listen to music, journal, draw, meditate, volunteer with a religious or charitable organization, or garden to maintain a feeling of hope and accomplishment.
“Distraction is the key word to keep you from obsessing from the fact that there’s a crisis going on that you really have no control over,” Keilen said. “People keep things inside themselves and they don’t let it out. You have this stress that needs an outlet.”
While Conway resident David Selman spent Monday afternoon fishing with his son at Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, Raleigh, North Carolina, resident Douglas Ball took his children out for a bike ride at Horry County Bike & Run Park, pressing that being outdoors has helped keep his family sane.
Selman added how prominent it is to get out and breathe, especially during times when you’re stuck inside the house. You never know what tomorrow is promised, he said.
“Mentally, if you don’t get out and you’re stuck in the house all day long, you just worry about what’s going to happen later on today or tomorrow,” Selman said. “But you have to live one day at a time and just enjoy your time, especially with your family.”
North Carolina residents Jamaal Pankey and Kiama Crawford said with so much commotion happening in their hometown, along with the responsibility of raising children and working, fishing at 2nd Ave. Pier brought them peace. They also noted it kept them out of trouble.
“We work a lot, we have kids, and sometimes we just need a break for ourselves,” Crawford said. “We come out here and find peace.”
Licensed counselor Carlene Roberts also advised to maintain structure during this time, whether it be by maintaining a healthy diet and sleep schedule to finding time to relax and avoiding the consumption of too much news. Instead of focusing on the bad, she said to make a list of all the things you’re grateful for or exercise your faith.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has guidelines on taking care of both your body and mind during this time. Eating healthy, well-balanced meals, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol and drugs are key factors to supporting yourself.
“Avoid unhealthy habits — aim to be intentional, effortful, willful in choosing healthy self care to help yourself stand up under the pressure/stressors of life,” she said. “Healthy self care gives us aided strength to endure the struggle. Self care is something we do have control over even if we don’t have control over external circumstances.”
We are in this together, and help is always available. If you’re feeling alone and struggling, contact your doctor or you can also reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 4:00 PM.
