Schools and offices are reopening after the lockdown in many parts of the country but the stress, anxiety, and other mental issues faced during the pandemic will not be over soon and, as the cases of COVID-19 are rising daily it is taking a serious toll on our mental health.
No one knows when everything will be back to normal.
The landscape of India has changed in the last couple of months with everyone staying in-home quarantine, the longest lockdown period anyone can ever think. Declared on 24th March 2020, it ensured that everyone stays indoor to curb the spread of the infection.
The landscape of India has changed in the last couple of months with everyone staying in-home quarantine, the longest lockdown period anyone can ever think. Declared on 24th March 2020, it ensured that everyone stays indoor to curb the spread of the infection.
Increase in Mental Health Issues
While it has been somewhat successful, the effect of lockdown had serious negative effects on the mental health of individuals. New researches that were conducted during the pandemic suggests an increase in the rate of mental health issues.
Various problems like anxiety, depression, frustration, and uncertainty have developed during the COVID situation. People have been restricted from social gatherings, and their movement was prohibited as cases were increasing daily and fear started developing inside their minds.
Before the pandemic, it was normal for humans to go out, have fun but the sudden restriction is making them feel helpless and anxious about the current situation. Whenever one opens a new channel, the broadcasting of the increasing COVID rates also makes people anxious about them and their loved ones.
With each passing day, people are experiencing more loneliness, suicidal behavior, alcohol dependency as they are detached from their daily life, and work activity. Fear, concern, and worry are making them feel more anxious which in turn is taking a toll on their health.
Pandemic has made people lose their jobs and the only source of their livelihood is also snatched from them, with nothing to feed their families or no source of income has made them feel low and anxious. The uncertainty of the situation makes the matter worse.
Winning Over the Paranoia
Mental health is treated as a stigma and taboo in India, people are not ready to confess that they are not feeling good and continuously ignore the signs their mind transmits. To get out of the situation we need to acknowledge the fact that we're not feeling good and then only we can come out with a solution.
Winning over the paranoia and getting over with the anxiety is not a sudden miracle. One needs help from therapists and experienced mental health professionals to get out of that zone, however, we can do certain activities and exercises at home to make us feel better and light.
1. Exercise Regularly: Exercise helps in releasing endorphins in your body which elevates your mood and helps you keep a positive attitude throughout the day. Stretching exercise, aerobic exercise, yoga can help you to stay fit and healthy and also keep you calm.
One can walk around or run around the compound of their apartment, climb stairs or play with kids and animals, this will help burn calories as well as keep one healthy.
2. Try to take a break: With constant negative news we are getting, it gets hard for our brain to function properly. Restrict yourself to positive news and if you are interested in knowing the current scenario regarding COVID then expose yourself to such news for a certain time.
Read books, draw, cook, or reorganize to stay alienated from all sorts of negative news.
3. Take adequate rest: Getting adequate rest and sound sleep will help you to manage your stress and anxiety. Good sleep can elevate your mood. Avoid having any beverages like tea, coffee, drinks before going to sleep, and try to sleep as early as possible.
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eating the right food and nutritious food is very important these days not only to manage anxiety but also to build immunity. Avoid junk food and have healthy alternatives for snacks like granola bars, fruit bowls. Maintaining the blood sugar level will keep you stable throughout the day.
5. Connect with Others: As we all are in lockdown, isolated from one another, so it necessary to form a connection with one another through phone calls or any other media. Check on your friends and families and be empathetic as people are living under stress, fear, and depression.
6. Find Ways to Express: Do activities where you can express yourself like drawing, writing a journal, capturing pictures, expressing your emotions helps you to cope up with your feelings, and lighten your mood by keeping stress away and allows you to look forward.
7. Get Organized: Staying at home all day can be a great excuse to clean and reorganize your cupboards or wardrobes. Small activities like this help you to keep yourself entertained and calm. Maintain daily hygiene and be vigilant while cleaning.
8. Self-Entertainment: Keep yourself entertained with small joys like binge-watching series or films. You can also practice gardening or pick up any hobby that you wanted to pursue but didn't have time.
It would take some time for our mind to adjust to the current situation and to accept the fact that this is new normal. Try to keep yourself busy with small activities and even if you are unable to manage contact with any mental health professional. Keep calm and don't panic. We are all in this together.
Written by - Srijita Roy
Edited by - Rudransh Khurana
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