To everyone who thought “2020 is going to be our year” well destiny had the complete opposite plan when just a couple of months down the line we were all at war which started to shatter everything. All of a sudden work,school,college ,entertaintment,the hustle bustle of everyday life just came to a hault and we were confined within the 4 walls of our houses to fight the common invisible enemy-the coronavirus.
Initially it all felt like an unexpected vacation where eveyone happily spent time with their family and close ones and were in a way relieved to break from the otherwise hectic routine and work schedules.With the passing of several weeks then infact months together with the COVID situation getting worse with each passing day,ecomony on the verge of crashing,unemployment setting in with so signs of returning to normalcy anytime soon the confusion,restlessness,anxiety,frustation,anger and helplessness of people started to kick in.According to a study conducted by Mumbai mirror during the covid 19 induced lockdown a 41% increase in anxiety in the participants and a 38% increase in anger and irritability with a 6% dip in happiness was recorded with students being the worst hit followed by working professionals reporting the highest net deterioration in their emotions.
Studies from Wuhan and Australia showed high levels of depression among frontline healthcare workers and people in communities with high infection rates. Such anticipatory stress and anxiety, along with loneliness, could not only affect mental health but lead to a decline in lifestyle quality and, ultimately, one’s health choices. Depression is a known risk factor for sleep disorders and eating disorders.
I think no one even in the wildest of their immagination had ever pictured a time like this where the everyday routine that followed for years and just out of nowhere get cut off from all of it and be locked down for months .The lockdown infact isnt just a physical restriction from people around but also a mental and emotional one where we are left alone to handle our thoughts and emotions in this scenario for more than 6 months putting up with the constant chatter of the mind in addition to the tragic events ,negativity and uncertainess hovering all around be it through sensational and hyped up news or extreme social media which make it even more difficult to put through these challenging times without being completely mentally drained out.
Since nobody in a 100 years has gone through a pandemic of this intensity everyone around seems equally confused,stressed and anxious therefore even though people all over are together in this they feel alone,feel helpless,feel paranoid of them or their loved ones getting affected with the disease they feel no one will be able to help them out of this hence the mental health detoriates and problems increase.I think in such a situation it is important to just express and let out what your mind feels at that time so when you feel frustated just yell,if you feel sad just cry ,when you are restless run around,when you are happy laugh heartily.It is important to satisfy the emotions you feel ,its completely okay to feel this way,everyone is going through their own struggle and challenges so if living with your family it is important to give each other space especially in these times to avoid conflicts and fights.Connect with friends and speak it out and just let the mind be and stay connect with yourself. Its okay to not be okay for a while ,give it some time and the next time anxiety or hopelessness kicks in pat yourself on the back and tell I ‘ve made it this far I will make it further too”
Sources
gaurikablogs 