I get WordPress errors like "Error establishing database connection" and "Currently unable to handle this request." Do I need to resize?

Every now and then, while working in my WordPress dashboard, I will get an “Error establishing database connection” (at which point I have to reboot my droplet) or “Page isn’t working. Currently unable to handle this request.” This usually happens when I’m doing something like running a virus scan or editing a bunch of posts at once (by opening them all up in separate tabs and updating them simultaneously since doing them one by one is too slow). Does this mean I need to resize my kernel? I’m currently running on the $5/mo plan with 1GB of memory. I’m about to open an ecommerce store and I’m worried that the site will go down while customers are shopping.