How to Maintain Your Mental Health in the Election Cycle, Pandemic & Beyond: 4 Tips From NBA Wife & Activist Achea Redd by Achea Redd

The 2020 election cycle is stressful for everyone on both sides of the aisle, and when combined with the isolation and anxieties of the coronavirus pandemic and the economy, mental health is suffering in a big way. I know firsthand how difficult it can be, especially for people of color.

I suffered from atypical anorexia throughout my teens and was diagnosed with depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in 2016. The stigma and shame associated with mental illness led me to hide my conditions from the world and my loved ones, which exacerbated my issues to the point of a full-blown breakdown, even contemplating suicide. Thankfully, I got help and am now not only thriving, but helping others, especially women and POC, make their mental health a priority.

Here are some tips for coping with anxiety, depression and stress right now:

• Limit Media: To be completely honest it has not been the easiest, but I think limiting social media and news intake to just once a day or every other day would be first. Also, when we do take in news, no matter the medium, don’t do it right before bed or first thing in the morning. Maybe mid-day or dinner prep time work for you, but not right when you wake up or right before bed.

• Know Your Limits: Understand what you can control and what you can not control. The world as a whole is very uncertain, however, you can only do what you can do and no more. The moment you start to think otherwise it becomes a downward spiral.

• Practice Self-care: Do something nice for yourself everyday. Whether it’s physical movement, wine, a bath, reading a good book with some tea or watching a funny movie. Make a habit of filling your own cup so that you don’t look to others to do that for you. I started doing this about three months ago and it has made a world of difference in my life.

• Remove Negativity: Eliminate all negative energy in your circle. The world is a cluster of negativity right now. The last thing you need is to have to navigate through that in your own life.

It is not uncommon to have a mental illness. More people have them than we would think. Whether it is a moment of panic or depression, it will not always be as bad as it is right now. It will get better.

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