Advice from a Sun Devil: How to take care of your mental health during a pandemic

These last 10 months have been wildly painful, uncertain and scary for the whole world. 

We’ve been coping with a global pandemic, fighting for racial equity, dealing with personal loss, grieving during a time of great anxiety and stress and trying to keep our families safe while also continuing to work and help each other and keep moving forward in some way. 

My name is Austin Davis, and I’m a poet and student activist currently studying creative writing in my third year at ASU. I’m the author of "The World Isn’t the Size of Our Neighborhood Anymore" (Weasel Press, 2020) and "Celestial Night Light" (Ghost City Press, 2020), and I lead an unsheltered outreach program in downtown Phoenix. 

ASU Student Life reporter Austin Davis

I also have OCD and ADD. For me, this year has been pretty tough, as I know it has been for many other people as well. Some mornings, it’s really hard to even get out of bed. Some days I feel like I’m walking around in a haze of intrusive thoughts and worries, and it feels impossible to pull myself out.

I think that right now, we’re all tired. We’re exhausted. And when you feel worn out, it can be so difficult to make the healthy decisions that will improve your mental health. 

Here are some tips that have helped me when I was spiraling or feeling sad. Take a look and stay strong, Sun Devils! 

1. Make art or consume art. 

I love poetry. When I’m feeling down, it really helps me to get out my notebook and just start writing. Creating art is so valuable for your well being. Create for the sake of creating! I also really love to go to a park, safely away from other people, and read under a tree, especially now that it has cooled down here in Arizona.

 2. Call a friend or family member. 

While it’s important to limit the amount of time you’re with people who aren’t in what my mom calls your “quaran-team,” it’s also so important to make sure you’re still connected with the people you love and who love you. Have a Zoom game night, spend extra time with the people in your home or meet up with your friends at a park or outdoor area for a mask-friendly walk!

3. Escape the world and explore nature. 

This summer, my family and I took a trip to Yosemite. It was so refreshing and revitalizing to go hiking and set my phone down for a while and just focus on living in the moment. Now that I’m back in Arizona, I like to make sure I go on weekly walks, even if it’s just at a park. 

4. Talk to a professional.

It is OK to ask for help! Therapy, anxiety workbooks and online counseling are all available for you. Right now I’m in therapy, and it has been incredibly helpful for me to get to talk to someone about what’s going on in my head and to learn different strategies for combating my fears. ASU students can always schedule an appointment with ASU Counseling Services. 

5. Balance your life/work/school schedule.

As college students, we’re all doing classes for the most part online, which adds its own set of challenges to learning. Many of us also have jobs and other responsibilities, and it can be hard to not feel overwhelmed sometimes. I think it’s important to take breaks from work and do things that make you happy. Use a planner or schedule so that you don’t miss anything, and just remember that you’re doing the best you can right now, and that’s all any of us can do. 

6. Make time for little acts of self-care throughout the day. 

This has been the hardest for me to add to my daily schedule, but it’s been the most beneficial for my mental health. Throughout the day, I take a few minutes whenever I’m feeling anxious or stressed to do a breathing exercise and practice mindfulness. I also enjoy painting my nails once a week. Find what works for you and give yourself the time to do it!