MANILA – Google recently hosted a Virtual Wellness Day to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

The event featured psychologist Ronald del Castillo, who shared advice on protecting his mental well-being in the midst of the pandemic.

“The traditional way of thinking about mental health is that I either have depression, don’t have depression, or have anxiety or not, or have an illness, or that I don’t have that thought in black and white. A lot of us will never be depressed, no matter how mundane… but that doesn’t mean I’m okay, ”he said.

“When you think of physical health, the idea always applies. Just because I don’t have cancer doesn’t mean I’m fine, ”he added, encouraging the public to broaden their understanding of mental health to include it.

Here is a recap of Del Castillo’s advice on Wellness Day:

1. TRY NEWSPAPER WRITING

“Writing things by hand slows down your brain, because your writing cannot physically keep up with your brain speed.”

2.25 ON, 25 OFF

“I understand some people don’t have that luxury, but if you do … work and focus for 25 minutes and take a five minute break. And you do that throughout the day.”

“Our brains start to slow down for about 30 minutes, our concentration begins to drop. To rejuvenate myself, I need to step away from my work for a few minutes before coming back.”

3. 4-7-8

“It’s called the 4-7-8… Breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and breathe out slowly as you can for eight seconds. Then you do this two or three times. “

4. OBJECTIVES IN THE MOUTH, NOT PIECES IN THE MOUTH

“Do small things before moving on to the next. You break it down, learn each part … It takes 21 days of practice for a behavior to become a habit. You just need to take one thing at a time and learn. every part before you move on. “

5. PRACTICE DO NOTHING

“We live in a world where we have to take care of ourselves to be more productive … No, I urge you to disconnect the two. You have to take care of yourself because you are worth the way you are, regardless of your level of performance or productivity. “

In this regard, Google is promoting a tool that helps users become aware of their digital habits, such as checking their phone and using apps, with options to set limits and timers.

The Digital Wellbeing app has features like Focus Mode, where users can see which apps are distracting them the most and choose which ones they want to take a break and take a break from.

There is also the Bedtime mode, where a sleep schedule can be set; and a Do not disturb function to not be alerted by notifications.

In addition to the Digital Wellbeing app, a Google search was also performed to show the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline – or (0966) 351-4518 – when a person types related keywords for remind him to seek professional help.

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