Covid-19 affects almost every person’s physical or mental health. In this article, we discussed the effects Of COVID-19 on Mental Health.
In starting of the year 2020, when people first observed the spread of COVID-19, the whole world went on high alert. They stocked all the necessary things, isolated themselves in their homes for several months and, learned to live a minimum life. It was really difficult to manage but it was coped with well and with the right precautionary measures. People used to stay at home and some of them learned new things, some of them started working on the hidden skills and talents with the time when the covid restrictions were lifted up, the world started to function in a normal way, everyone saw a ray of hope that we would be defeating the virus soon and somehow people accepted the new normal reality.
But, now with the new severe wave of COVID-19, it has again become challenging for people to cope and it has resulted in exhaustion, fatigue, and depression.
*Our body responses to any perceived or real threat can result in fear, worry, and stress. It’s common for people to experience fear in the context of the pandemic, and in addition to it covid-19 pandemic has also changed the livelihood and lifestyle of every individual
From living normally to restricted life is way more than stress to the mind itself. From normal movement to restricted movement in efforts to control the spread of the virus across the whole nation. All over the world people have faced with the new reality of momentary unemployment, working from home, lack of physical contact with loved ones and friends, homeschooling for children, online classes, worry about isolation, overburden of healthcare workers, financial distress, uncertain about the future rapid changes in the schedule and plans. All these fluctuations are further leading to anxiousness, changes in mood frustration, irritation, powerlessness, confusion, impatience, exhaustion, fatigue, disturbed sleep, and the most important depression, etc.
Some of the ways to ensure mental well-being
1. Reflect and accept:
It becomes very important to continuously check on your mental health and reflect on how you are feeling every day. If you find yourself anxious, scared, worried, and exhausted, give yourself time to understand that it is normal to feel these emotions with the amount of information and things going around. All people across the world are facing a similar experience. Understand the ways you can help yourself to feel better and distract yourself to have a positive mindset at this point. Write down the steps you can take to divert your mind and to make yourself feel calm. Take time to pause and think and help you come up with something no matter how small it would be.
2. Challenge your negative thought:
The chain of negative thoughts during such time can become so strong and powerful that you start to believe it’s true. Understanding your pattern of thinking and writing it down can be another step to get rid of negative thoughts. Also, ask yourself these questions.
- How true is this though?
- How did I cope with a similar situation last year?
- How helpful it is to keep thinking in the same way?
- How this would help me reach a solution?
- How this would help me?
After questioning try to write down the positive alternatives of these thoughts and try to find the more realistic options to challenge these thoughts.
3. Take some break from the news about viruses and deaths:
News about COVID-19 can make us feel hopeless and may affect our mental health. There is also a lot of inaccurate and false information circulating about the viruses and healthcare institutes and facilities. Be critical and cautious about the information you read and share especially on the social media platform. It is essential to watch important news and keep ourselves updated and informed but only check the trusted sources. Seek trusted news to protect yourself and your loved ones. Stay updated with the latest developments and guidelines.
Limit your frequency of checking the news to just twice a day (morning and evening). Avoid checking the news before going to bed. The limit conversation about the virus with your family and friends. Watching the news the whole time and discussing the virus with family and friends all the time can create the chances of panic, fear, and worry.
4. Follow a routine:
Even if you don’t want to follow a strict schedule, or plan, having a routine can help you deal with stress, unpredictability, and uncertainty. It can help you during self-isolation also. Without a plan, these new challenges such as working from home, doing household chores, online classes can become frightening and add up to stress and anxiety. Having a routine can help you be more efficient and can give you a sense of control which can help you manage the feeling of powerlessness. Make a list of your daily tasks and layout a plan. Make a to-do list and work on it.
5. Do physical exercise and meditation:
Taking out time to exercise and relax can help in improving mood, reducing stress and anxiety. Being mindful and doing deep breathing exercises can help you feel calm and relaxed when feeling low and anxious.
6. Work on your hobbies:
Try exploring new things to enhance your mood. For example, dancing, playing with pets, cooking, gardening, learning new instruments, etc. Taking a break from social media and technology to digitally detox can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle during a pandemic.
7. Stay connected:
Distancing from family friends and closed ones can be depressing and discomforting but living in this virtual world, connecting with your loved ones through video calls, phone calls, texting in just a few minutes can bring joy despite the physical distance. Keeping a check on your loved ones, friends, families in these difficult times can be helpful.
By applying all these ways/ strategies in our daily life can help us manage stress and maintain our mental well-being/health. These steps will help to overcome the effects of COVID-19 on mental health.
