Nobody said this was going to be easy.
A narrative on the importance of mental health in the current scenario
By Arshia Shetty
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light’ — Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter by J.K Rowling.
He knew what he was talking about. Sometimes when we are engulfed in darkness it is hard to stay positive and have an optimistic outlook on life. But in times like these, it is upto us to find the light and the positivity.
In the span of a few months, the Coronavirus pandemic has taken the world by shock. The idea of what used to be normal is nothing but a faint memory. While the disease primarily affects the physical health of the affected individual, increased feelings of anxiety, restlessness are beginning to take a toll on the mental level as well, which could have a long lasting impact more than the disease itself.
The World health Organisation declared the COVID-19 health crisis as a pandemic due to the ubiquitous and transmissible nature of the virus. It has made its presence known in close to 212 countries around the world, with almost all of them imposing a strict lockdown to prevent further spread of the disease, leaving a majority of people stuck at home. Given that home is a safe space and a source of solace for a lot of people, one would wonder, how could this be harmful in any way? But when a person is cooped up in a place for too long, it is natural to begin to feel like they’re trapped inside their own home, body, or mind. For individuals who have previously sought help for different reasons, a lockdown could lead to overthinking and loneliness which tends to brew an exceeding amount of negativity in a person’s life.
Moreover, there is a lot of uncertainty revolving this pandemic. It is impossible to determine when we will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and we also cannot be certain as to what we can expect in its aftermath. All the plans for the future, people’s careers, and their very livelihood are precariously dangling on a ledge. This can build up a lot of anxiety and colossal amounts of stress. Furthermore, your inability to alleviate this stress due to a lockdown, can affect you adversely.
Not only that, there is another problem that a lot of people are facing — the mounting pressure to stay productive during such turbulent times. A number of people are trying to force themselves to work so that they do not waste this “precious” time, failing to realise the importance of their mental health and the pivotal role it plays in a person’s daily life. Being confined to a space often leads to added frustration which can in turn lead to us putting an immense amount of pressure on ourselves to be productive. In this situation, we are unable to go out and get a change of scenery and pace allowing our minds to de-stress and think about something other than our work, deadlines and meetings. This not just hampers a person’s productivity levels but also their creativity and thinking ability. A person’s mental health should be their topmost priority as they come out of this lockdown. It is important to try to stay mentally happy to combat any negative feelings. Surviving the coronavirus pandemic is not just about the vaccine. It also involves being mentally strong and having the willpower to get through this tumultuous period.
There are so many ways to help raise your spirits under isolation. No one is going through this alone. You are in this with about a billion more people, including your friends and family. Using this time to talk to them can truly help raise your spirits. Not only that, but you can also utilise this time to catch up on your favourite movies/shows that you haven’t had time to watch due to a rather busy schedule. Moreover, listening to music and meditation are tried and tested methods to help relieve stress in these uncertain times. Furthermore, creative expression and all forms of art are helpful in promoting positive thinking. Use this time creatively, finish that art piece that you had been meaning to for the last year, learn that new programming language that you wanted to, or learn about the romantic history of Shakespeare and Fitzgerald because you love reading their books. Don’t be averse to trying new things because you can never be certain about your niche unless you explore.
One thing that truly helps when you feel extremely cluttered, is scheduling. Schedule your work properly. Carve out some time in a day where you can unwind and relax. We have the flexibility to change the way we can work. Don’t be afraid of that change.
It is important to identify those positive feelings and hold onto them. That is one certainty that you can have in these uncertain times. Keeping yourself occupied with positive activities, will not leave much room for negativity to creep into your mind. Use this time to stay healthy-not just physically but also mentally.
One of the only ways to reinforce positive thinking is by selectively removing any negative thoughts. Practice the art of recognising your negative thoughts as and when they enter your mind and filter them out. Replace feelings of doubt and confusion with feelings of certainty.
The one thing that you have control over are your thoughts, use them to bring about a positive change in not just your life but also in the lives of others.
We have the power to impact change on a magnitude unlike never before. Humanity has united in the face of this pandemic, coming together to help those who are unable to help themselves. Humanitarian aid is being given on an unimaginable scale with national food drives for ration distribution to the homeless to providing essentials delivery to the doorstep for the elderly who cannot leave their homes. These go to show that everyone can lend a helping hand in any shape or form. Helping others in need will provide a sense of gratification which is unparalleled. So use your voice and your actions to provide help and don’t forget to stay safe during these tough times.
We are in uncharted waters and the world needs more snippets of positivity. Spread love and hope
Keep yourself and your close ones happy.
Stay Safe.
Stay Home.
