People around the world are in a stressful situation right now. All aspects of life are affected” by the pandemic and we are all living in an uncertain world.
The distressing changes brought about by the Covid and lockdown is now becoming a reason for a spike in mental health problems in India that could result in another threat in the post-pandemic world. People all around are worried about their physical health and economic security and this is putting a lot of pressure on their mental health resulting in anxiety and overthinking.
For many of us, life changed nearly overnight, with little time to prepare. People with anxiety and overthinking symptoms are especially at major risk not only of Covid but of mental health issues. Today, we are unable to see our friends and loved ones in person which makes the situation worse for all of us.
#COVID19 has and is likely to affect people from many countries. Do not attach it to any ethnicity or nationality.
Be empathetic to all those who are affected, in and from any country – they deserve our support, compassion and kindness.https://t.co/brPm9JlAWH#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/GpMAW6NW1F
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 14, 2020
There’s nothing bad to be critical, analytical, and generally inquisitive in your thoughts, as thinking about what you need to do can be a great way to stay organized. If you’re worrying, it doesn’t mean you have a disorder. But too much thinking can be a slippery slope into a negative mental health space, and churning over the same, usually negative, thoughts become counterproductive.
Staying home gives us all an opportunity to take better care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally. Here are some ways you can do that:
- Get plenty of sleep each night. According to the CDC, adults should get at least seven hours of sleep over the course of 24 hours. Be sure to avoid sleep deprivation and excess sleeping it can give your body a chance to relieve anxiety.
- You could even practice mindfulness techniques, yoga and daily exercise routine which encourage a sense of calm and objectiveness. Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and other mind-body practices are excellent ways to ease stress and feel more emotionally and mentally centred.
- Try asking yourself if what you’re overthinking about will truly matter in a month. What about a year from now? You may find you’re dealing with a major life event, but more often than not, we stress over the smaller things in life.
- Listen to your favourite music or discover something new through online ventures. Today many venues are offering online live music performances. One can try online Zumba or other fitness class to get moving or try a new craft like planting, painting.
- Connect with friends and family through phone calls and video calls. Host a virtual movie night or virtual dinner with your friends and relatives. Enjoy spending time with is an excellent way to reduce anxiety.
- Instead of keeping your thoughts in the head, write them on a paper or diary that way, you won’t need to hold onto them.
🎁Helping others can have a positive effect on your own mental health and wellbeing.
💚There is a strong relationship between the well-being, happiness & longevity of those who are compassionate: https://t.co/HPKyRLEtJT #KindnessMatters #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/Z4jltBrhnb
— Mental Health Foundation (@mentalhealth) August 24, 2020
If you feel these tips don’t work, please consult with your physician for diagnosing and treatment.