‘Reduce social media’ advises psychologist
HEALTH psychologist and psychotherapist Suzanne O’Connor said that reducing time spent on social media is the biggest way to protect your mental health during this period of isolation due to coronavirus.
Suzanne lives in Greystones and will soon be opening a practice in Bray at the Ariadne counselling centre on Glenard Avenue.
‘For the vast majority, social media and perhaps even mainstream media will be a huge source of stress,’ said Suzanne. ‘So the best advice is to keep away and shut it off.
‘However for others, they might actually need these outlets. They may feel more in control if they can warn people about events they have heard or by keeping linked into the world. For these it might actually be more stressful to be without social media. However I feel that being aware that this is not a viable source of correct information is important and to bear in mind, if you’re sending out these messages, who might see them and their impact.’
Suzanne said that we all have to muddle through it right now and can choose blind panic or choose to be pragmatic.
She said that for someone who is nervous and panicking, it’s important to pick carefully who you talk to.
‘If you are panicking it’s probably best not to call the person who will feed into that panic. You are going to know people who have better advice, who are logical, and you can hone in on their logic.’
Suzanne said that different people have different coping mechanisms within themselves.
‘Some people’s first reaction is panic, some people are logical, and some will bury their heads in the sand.
‘Burying our heads in the sand and panic don’t help anybody, so try to tap into that area of yourself that is logical. When panic sets in you can remember those logical self thoughts.’
She said that if you do read about coronavirus and matters associated to that, make sure it’s scientific.
‘Look at the reputable sources as opposed to your Facebook feed, Twitter or Instagram. I know stuff did go around on WhatsApp which was fabricated.’
She said it can seem very real and believable to even the most astute person.
‘It is sensationalised, it’s social media - not scientific fact.’
Suzanne said that in her line of work as a health psychologist, it is common that people have certain beliefs about their health, such as ‘I’m always going to get a really bad virus.’ She said that such beliefs are more likely to make someone feel panicky.
‘If you feel “I always get sick”, then look at the facts around that. How often do you really get sick and do you actually get worse than other people?’
She said that it’s important to believe in and trust your own health and the facts.
‘If you are sick or you get sick, then visualisation is very good.
‘Everyone has probably seen images of the virus by now, so you can visualise it and think “look at me, I’m killing you now, I’m really powerful. Some people might think that’s “airy fairy”, but it’s not.’
She said that there is a study in health psychology of how the mind interacts with the body, psychoneuroimmunology.
‘Of course it’s not useful to tell someone not to panic,’ said Suzanne.
‘If you are well and healthy and at home, and feeling anxious and stressed, focus in on your own situation. Are you well? Yes, you are. Is everyone in the house well? Yes, they are.
‘Maybe take five days off not listening to anything about coronavirus. Read a book, watch mind-numbing TV, do the housework you never had time to do.’
She said that keeping the mind active in some way is useful, whether by binge-watching Netflix or doing a crossword, using a mindfulness colouring book or trying a bit of meditation.
‘Our lives are so busy. For the first time, we are being forced to stop.
‘ There is stuff going on causing alarm and stress. At the same time, have some time off.
‘What are the things to do you have been putting off until you have the tome? Take the opportunity to keep busy in ways to avoid constantly focusing on coronavirus.
‘ Then remind yourself of where you are at, as opposed to the entire world. We can’t do anything about the entire world, that’s why we’re being told to stay at home.’
To contact Suzanne, email counsellingforwardIreland@gmail.com.