Mental Health during a Pandemic

 

Heyy!

Welcome back!

I tried avoiding writing about this topic for a really long time mostly cause I didn't know how it felt to go through it until I had a conversation with my friend on this topic. We came across a post on social media based on this topic and how its affected innumerable number of people who are confined in their homes.

Staying alone with your thoughts is itself a scary thing. But for over 7 months?! That is literally a devil's workshop. A lot of people weren't allowed to leave their homes for natural reasons. This has led a lot of people to overthink and has caused a lot of people's mental health to be scarred. Numerous types of anxieties and stress have developed over the course of these 7 months and  in some cases it has gotten serious. People have drifted apart whereas some have gotten really close. I relate to that because people whom I didn't even know last year are now one of my best friends!

Nevertheless, I wanna discuss about a few activities that took place affecting our mental health.

1. Drifting from close ones

We all did. From at least one person. Multiple reasons including not seeing them daily and not connecting with them via social media. As counter-intuitive as it would sound, talking through social media platforms is just not the same as meeting them IRL. It's a different feeling altogether. Lot of ya'll lost connection with a close friend just because neither of you wanted to take the first step and text first. I know it because I myself went through it. 

Although, if you did take the first step and it wasn't reciprocated, then at least you know that they're not worth it. You can be closer to someone else who retaliates your effort.

2. Changes in schedule

With the increasing number of cases around the world we all had to change our schedules to adjust to the 'new normal'. Something that changed for me was my sleep cycle. Usually I used to sleep around 10:30 ish and be up at 7:15. Now, due to increase in studies and screen time, it has completely  deteriorated. Sometimes I sleep at 9 whereas on other days I'm up till 1 am studying. This naturally has caused a mess in my sleeping schedule. 

3. Being Paranoid 

Over fake news. Not all websites give the correct number of cases active. This is what causes excessive stress and anxiety when one goes out to buy essential goods. With the news constantly reporting cases over cases it just keeps building up and can often lead to consequences. Stay home. Take proper measures. And check the news from verified websites. 

4. Traumatisation  

I cannot begin to imagine the mental state of people who've had someone close to them affected or themselves have been the victim to this horrible foe. I know it can't be easy for anyone given at the rate everything is going on. Although I would say, don't lose hope. It's gonna be okay. Surround yourself with positive vibes and sab theek ho jayega. It's the best you can do.

People are going through so much which one cannot even begin to imagine. The amount of mental stress during this period is off the charts. Staying resilient during this time is burdensome. You should be there for someone, regardless of the pandemic. It could save them I'm not kidding.

In conclusion, wear a mask (PROPERLY), maintain social distancing and follow basic protocol and this could be ended really soon. Not to mention huge respect to every single profession who're putting their lives at risk to help us.

Drop your thoughts on how you feel this has been a great impact nowadays and don't forget to share and subscribe :)

Signing off,

Kuhu :)