Keep Your Mental Health in Check

DESIGN: KAZI AKIB BIN ASAD

As the death toll keeps rising and panic brews even more, we fear for ourselves and our loved ones. For those in self-quarantine or self-isolation, home can start to feel like a prison. While we are constantly being told to wash hands and check for physical symptoms—for good reason—the conversation surrounding mental health is painfully scarce.

During crises, experiencing stress and anxiety is almost always inevitable. News cycles contribute significantly to this, since most of the coverage is negative. If you feel dismayed by all the chaos, limit your exposure to news. Don't have the TV on all day or read the papers too often. Designate a specific time of the day to get updates.

Social media is no better, if not worse. As if the disheartening facts weren't enough, outlandish rumours like coronavirus "interviews" might confuse or scare you even more. If this bothers you, take a break from social media. Rely on trusted sources like WHO, CDC and IEDCR for information.

It's okay to be clueless on how to spend all that extra free time in self-quarantine. Indulge in activities you enjoy to take your mind off of Covid-19. Read books, binge on Netflix or whatever floats your boat, as long as you stay indoors.

Social distancing might have put a temporary halt on hangouts. But, this is a time to feel grateful for technology. Connect with your friends or loved ones if you're feeling lonely; they're probably going through the same thing. Self-quarantine won't feel so bad anymore.

The body and the soul are intertwined, so eating healthy, working out, sleeping well and staying hydrated are important for your mental well-being. Doing breathing exercises and meditation also help to put your mind at ease. Better if it's in an area where you can access nature and sunlight, like your balcony or rooftop.

This time is especially difficult for people with pre-existing mental health conditions. With additional anxiety induced by the Covid-19 pandemic, symptoms might worsen or new ones may appear. Keep an eye on any of these signs and continue treatment, if you're undergoing any. If you're feeling overwhelmed by negative emotions, which may lead to thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help or contact any of Kaan Pete Roi hotlines, which are listed on their website http://shuni.org

If you really think about it, the basic precautions to combat Covid-19—washing hands, staying home—are easy to follow. If you're feeling sad, remember that you're saving millions of lives just by doing these. Take some pride in that. And remember, this too shall pass.

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

2. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51873799

Adhora Ahmed daydreams too much. Send her reality checks at adhora.ahmed@gmail.com