As large swaths of the U.S. move to tighten restrictions on public gatherings, President Trump wants to move in the opposite direction and end the shutdowns by Easter, April 12. Health experts claim the target date is too soon and could cause even more deaths from COVID-19 if the shutdowns are lifted, according to The New York Times.
![coronavirus]()
On the other hand, Trump asserted that continuing the shutdowns could result in deaths of a different kind, due to mental health issues such as depression and possible suicides that a massive recession can trigger. “People die from the flu,” he said. “But we’ve never closed down the country from the flu.”
The Easter date is not etched in stone, according to Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff; it’s simply “a goal” that could offer a glimmer of hope during these grim times.
In times like this when government agencies are in control of whether you can even walk outside your own home, a glimmer of hope is certainly something that everyone needs. But how do you remain hopeful when, as Trump implied, you have no income and lots of bills, and your life looks just about as depressing as it can get?
The good news is there are several things you can do from a personal standpoint while you wait for government officials and health experts to decide when everyone’s life can begin to see a semblance of normalcy.
For example, did you know that exercise is a powerful tool in dealing with depression? It’s paradoxical that when you’re feeling down you often feel like you don’t want to move an inch, but research suggests that getting up and moving can raise your serotonin levels, which then helps you have a more positive outlook.
One of the ways exercise promotes mental health is by normalizing insulin resistance. It also produces kynurenine, a neurotoxic stress chemical produced from the amino acid tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid required for the synthesis of serotonin, melatonin, vitamin B3 and kynurenine. While kynurenine is associated with stress and depression at higher levels, higher levels of serotonin are associated with improved mood.
To a degree, exercise will allow you to control what the tryptophan will be synthesized into. But what can you do to get moving when you’re confined to your home or apartment? You can begin with simple strength training exercises that take little or no equipment, and which can be done just about anywhere.
Cardiovascular exercises can also be done in your own home, and will help get your heart and respiratory rates up along with feel-good endorphins that can help address a depressed mood. From jumping jacks to squats to crunches, planks and burpees, there is something that can strengthen both your body and your mind without having to leave your living room.
And, even though it may be tempting to order fast food deliveries, try to remember that nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health, and that several nutrients are known for their immune-boosting properties and ability to ward against viral infections.
So, when you do venture out to the store — or if you have delivery options that allow you to order delivery from a local grocer — choose real food as your ally against depression by:
- Following a "traditional" dietary pattern such as the Mediterranean, Norwegian or Japanese diet
- Increasing consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes, wholegrain cereals, nuts and seeds (note that autoimmune diseases are rampant and whole grains and legumes are loaded with lectins and best avoided or at least consumed in small quantities)
- Eating plenty of omega-3-rich foods
- Replacing unhealthy processed foods with real, wholesome nutritious foods
- Avoiding processed foods, fast food, commercial baked goods and sweets
Your beverage choices may also need an overhaul, as most people drink very little pure water, relying on sugary beverages like sodas, fruit juices, sports drinks, energy drinks and flavored water for their hydration needs. None of those alternatives will do your mental health any favors, so try to stick to plain, pure water or tea.