WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Happy Groundhog Year, er, Day! Sort of feels like that. With resurgences of new COVID variants and all that accompanies that, it can kind of feel like the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day.”
The main character, Phil Connors, a television weatherman – played by Bill Murray – relives Groundhog Day over and over while broadcasting in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
There are things we can glean from that movie that are helpful. By the end of the movie, rather than struggling with what he couldn’t change, he focused on what he could - himself. There are things that we can do to aide us in maintaining positive mental health.
Connectedness: This is one of the key factors in interpersonal violence protection. There are many wide-ranging benefits from this connection. As Barbra Streisand sang about, people need people (you’re probably going to have to look these people up to know what I’m referencing). There can be a plus side to social media such as tele-health, counseling, and meeting appointments that allows us to interact.
Activity: It can be challenging to keep active in winter months regardless of COVID. Variety can be helpful and can incorporate connections. Ask friends to do a class such as yoga online via Zoom, change up your playlists, and find virtual fitness and wellness programs.
Motivation: It’s easy to lose focus when things become monotonous. While use of technology can connect us, too much time looking at a screen can be tiring. Find things that use non-screen time that remove us mentally from social media, news outlets, etc. A small break can go a long way.
Routine and spontaneity: Routines such as regular meals and exercise are helpful for our well-being. Structure helps us with knowing what to expect and provides stability though changing things up interrupts monotony. Instead of television one night, read a book. Education is important though over saturation can become stressful. Take a break and find something you enjoy, maybe something new or rekindle a previous interest.
Find what works best for you. As always, if things become overwhelming, please reach out to a trusted person, a helping agency, your support system. Be kind to, and take care of, yourself.