Health & Wellness

IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS: 


IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH: COVID 19 outbreak has left many people more alone than they’ve been in a long time. Some are coping by getting busy with cozy domesticity, baking, cooking, reading books, etc. Face Timing with friends is now a necessity not a luxury. Normal routines have been disrupted. There is uncertainty, fear, and anxiety as to when will the lockdown period end and as to when life will come back to normalcy.

WHO IS MORE VULNERABLE?

It is okay to feel vulnerable and overwhelmed if one has experienced trauma or a mental health problem in the past such as anxiety disorders and OCD as it might worsen its symptoms. Older people, healthcare workers, and people with a history of substance abuse are also more at risk.

COPING WITH FEAR AND ANXIETY: It is 100% normal to be worried about contracting or spreading coronavirus since it is contagious. It can stay live on the surface for up to days. Symptoms can spread before one knows they are sick.

COPING WITH ANXIETY DUE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING AND QUARANTINING: The phrase “Social distancing” means “ step away from other people “ sounds dire. Humans are social animals wired for proximity to each other. Staying 6 feet apart, voluntarily quarantining though necessary are not natural. It can have psychological and physiological effects. “Social distancing “ can lead to loneliness which further can lead to boredom and depression. The fact that you cannot go to your favorite coffee shop, movies, parties, etc leads to anger, frustration, and irritability. Moreover one has had to relinquish control of so many comforts like one’s favorite toiletries, visit the spa, gym, etc leads to a feeling of helplessness.

COPING WITH RELATIONSHIP STRESS: Reducing or stopping physical contact due to the virus situation can have detrimental effects on our body and mind. Touch is essential to bonding and intimacy and one’s well-being. Due to lockdown, partners who might be in different cities or countries may have to be stuck away from each other for an indefinite period leading to stress. It is thus essential to verbalize and express one’s emotions and not always intellectualize them.

COPING WITH THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS: 2020 is going to experience a recession at least as bad as during the global financial crisis or worse. But we expect a recovery in 2021. This requires containment and strengthening of the Health Systems everywhere. There is a predicted slump for China. India’s GDP growth is expected to moderate further from our earlier estimate of 5% FY20 and growth in FY21 is highly uncertain.

COPING WITH FEAR OF JOB LOSS: As the Global Economy is hit by recession many are likely to lose jobs and be laid off. This can lead to depression and even suicides.

10 WAYS TO MANAGE CORONAVIRUS

Don’t be hard on yourself – It’s okay. Acknowledge your feelings by validating them and telling yourself that it is absolutely normal to feel anxious and fearful. Key symptoms to identify anxiety are irritability, shortness of breath, palpitations, feeling lethargic, etc.

Stay connected to the community and reach out for help to counselors to cope with stress: At times of stress, we work better in a company and with support. Stay connected with the outside world. Make sure you have at least one to two calls or video chats per day with your friends and family to unwind. Social media like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp can keep you in touch with various groups. Also, do not hesitate to reach out to a counselor online.

Stress management: Verbalize your anxious feeling and sensations to a confidant or mental health professional. Practice diaphragmatic breathing for 20 minutes whenever you feel anxious. Inhale deeply from the bottom of your stomach to the count of 4 and then exhale from the mouth to the count of 8 visualizing all the stress leaving your system in a black cloud of smoke. Practice mindfulness by being completely present at the moment listening to and enjoying the sounds and smells around you, maybe the greenery and trees in the balcony, the cool breeze, etc.

Be active: Exercise on a daily basis whether it is yoga, skipping, treadmill at home or a home workout video. Get free air daily, be it in your balcony or in your driveway.

Eat a well-balanced diet: Eat fruits, vegetables, wholemeal cereals, legumes and drink fresh juices and soups. Avoid fatty diet since movement is limited.

Focus on aspects of positive psychology like gratitude, empathy and altruistic acts of kindness: Helping your staff, maids financially at this time of crisis not only makes a difference to the community but also to your mental health.

Donate to food banks: We can donate food to help low-income families or to people on daily wages.

Pay attention to self-care without guilt: Indulge yourself by sleeping in, taking long baths, meditating, personal grooming, reading a book or watching movies, etc.

Limit watching news coverage of the virus: This might be adding to your stress. Try to share positive and useful content from trusted sources on social media and refrain from spreading panic and fear. Consider unfollowing people on your account who add to your anxiety. Explain to children the facts and minimize the negative impact it has on them.

Do benefit find: Look for the positives in this situation such as family bonding, spending time with children by board games, watching movies, etc. Creating a new routine and keeping busy will limit overthinking and also combat anxiety and depression. Find ways to be active online.

CONCLUSION

We should not judge people and avoid assumptions about who is responsible for the spread of Coronavirus. It can affect anyone regardless.  On the brighter side, COVID-19 and the 21-day lockdown has subtle benefits for our holistic healing and growth if we are receptive and ready to learn from it. It has brought back a renewed Prayer  Life, a slower and more peaceful pace of life,  more family time,  greater empathy and patience, lesser pollution due to reduced travel, and adjusted financial Priorities to name a few! It’s time for Mother Earth to heal too. Let’s hope and pray this crisis ends and disappears as quickly as it came

Article By: Ms. Taanya Nagi

MA (Counselling Psychology), Dip. Holistic Counseling & Healing Accredited Australian, The Holistic Healing Centre

Contact: + 91-9999344415 | www.holistichealingcentre.com | holistichealingcentre1@gmail.com | 2020