Navigating Mental Health Amid the Covid-19 Global Pandemic

The global pandemic, COVID-19, seems to have held the world ransom for almost four months now, and along with it — our mental health.

As cities reopen in a variety of stage 1, 2 & 3, it is the perfect time to retake control of your mental health. Being cooped up for months indoors, feeling the stress of relationships, finances and uncertainty may impact your mental health and well being. Take advantage of the many benefits that red light therapy can have on the body and mind.

 

It is difficult to control negative thoughts in general, much less during a global pandemic. According to the CDC website, stress during an outbreak can include:
– Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
– Changes in sleep or eating patterns
– Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
– Worsening of chronic health problems
– Worsening of mental health conditions

 

Fortunately, red light therapy “can be used as a non-invasive and efficacious approach to increase brain functions such as those related to cognitive and emotional dimensions,” according to a scientific study done on infrared laser stimulation in 2012.

Positive effects of red light therapy on mental health include relief of anxiety, chronic fatigue, depression and insomnia. Added benefits include improving attention, memory, and mood.

Affecting more than 2.5 million Americans each year, chronic fatigue is a disorder characterized by prolonged tiredness that does not get better with rest. As mentioned in our blog, Combating Chronic Fatigue, during red light therapy, cells are fueled with more energy and less free radicals which inhibits greater capacity to combat the symptoms and causes of chronic fatigue.

According to a 2016 study, subjects with comorbid anxiety and traumatic stress disorders were treated with photobiomodulation (PBM) (PBM is another name for red light therapy). Results showed anxiety relief in as little as two weeks. “Similar to depressive manifestations, anxiety symptoms appeared to respond to PBM… The study showed a significant improvement in anxiety at weeks 2 and further, all patients with PTSD were among those achieving significant anxiety reduction by week 2.”

This is a stressful and unprecedented time for everyone, which means, taking initiative over mental and physical health is more important than ever. If you have felt any of the symptoms mentioned above, a couple weeks of red light therapy sessions are worth looking into. Still need some convincing? Check out our blog, With the Coronavirus Situation, Here are 10 Reasons to Offer Red Light Therapy, for more information on the positive benefits of red light therapy.

Feel free to contact us at: infoprismlightpod@gmail.com and we’ll let you know where you can try a Prism red light therapy session.

Footnote articles and video:

1. CDC Guidelines/tips for Coping with Stress amidst COVID-19
2. Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis
3. Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans
4. KFF Health Tracking Poll – Early April 2020: The Impact Of Coronavirus On Life In America
5. PTSD Ex-Military Sufferer – Video Testimonial