Covid-19has affected every aspect of our lives, irrespective of whether we have been tested positive or negative for the presence of the virus. People have lost their loved ones, and some families have even lost their breadwinners as a result of this pandemic.
Many people, like daily wage workers, are unemployed due to the complete lockdown and online working scenarios. The lasting physical side effects of this disease, like long-term breathing problems, heart disease, and chronic kidney failure, wreck a person both emotionally and mentally. Last but not least the pandemic has given rise to the ‘new norm’ of masks, social distancing, and working and studying online.
It has been found in various researches that people hospitalized for Covid-19 have exhibited a higher risk of Anxiety, Depression and several such mental issues. This is mainly due to the social distancing and the constraints it had on people’s work and ability to seek support and engage with their community. A study from the WHO recorded a 25% increase in mental health problems during the pandemic. Young people and women are the worst hit than men, studies show that they are at a higher risk of suicidal tendencies and bipolar disorders. Fear, bereavement, and fear of death for oneself and loved ones, etc have aggravated these issues. These problems can have prolonged effects on a person’s life thus hindering the future growth of the individual affected by the infection.
A sound body and mind are extremely for the steady and optimum of an individual.
Here are a few ways to help release the mental strain caused due to the pandemic-
- Cultivate habits that prioritize taking care of you and bring you happiness.
- Express yourself, be it happiness or sadness. Expressing yourself helps you share your happiness with others and get support during sorrow.
- Make sure to stay connected to people who care for you and make you happy.
- Making assumptions is the top cause of anxiety. Try not to assume things before they happen as this can only wear you down mentally and cause more problems.
- Accept and understand what you are feeling and talk to a professional the moment things feel out of your control.
The pandemic has indeed made us realize that it is high time we start prioritizing mental health just like our physical health. Many severe mental illnesses go undiagnosed due to the stigma about consulting a professional for mental issues, this can cause severe problems in the future including self-harming and even suicide in some cases. Mental health issues should be considered like any other disease and treated accordingly.