Ever since the COVID-19 struck the world, taking care of one’s mental health became more like a Herculean task. Almost everyone has felt depressed, frustrated, anxious, and stressed out due to the unrelenting pressure of this pandemic and the mental challenges associated with it. A recent study has found that the rate of depression in United States adults during the pandemic has skyrocketed three times more than usual. The surveyors found almost 30.9% of young adults suffering from acute depression[1] and anxiety, with some of the participants even considered suicide during this time.
But, how do you know that the vexing thoughts which keep boggling your mind and make you feel all dull, depressed, and indolent are just a phase, or they need some lifestyle change to overcome them? You clearly need to scrutinize your thoughts and mind and ask yourself the following questions to identify the core issue, depression:
- Am I losing my sleep because of stressful thoughts and restlessness?
- Are my relationships with my own self and my loved ones getting adversely affected these days?
- Have I started withdrawing from the activities I used to enjoy earlier?
- Do I feel devoid of any energy or zeal to perform even the minor daily tasks?
- Has my appetite altered? Is my weight increasing or decreasing?
- Do I feel exasperated, pesky, and uncertain most of the time?
- Have I started yelling more or experiencing tantrums suddenly?
- Do I feel like my life is useless, and my presence or absence makes no difference?
Remember, depression exhibits itself either in the physical symptoms or behavioral symptoms or both, so beware of the signs by asking yourself the questions above. If you find many of them true for yourself, buckle yourself up, and start coping with it like a warrior. How? Let me explain.
You see, depression is real, and like any physical ailment, this too must be addressed and combated individually and professionally, if required. Looking for signs of it and then digesting the fact that it has hit me hard now is the first and crucial milestone in self-improvement. One must realize that they are not alone in this struggle. COVID-19 is a global pandemic, and scores of people in many regions are feeling its repercussions. Given below are some of the effective coping strategies which will prove to be effective. If you consistently keep them as part of your life, the depression, anxiety, or any other stress-causing factor will eventually vanish. You’ll keep surfing above the waters of life:
- Validate your feelings and start taking baby steps in the direction of your betterment.
- Make a schedule and stick to it. No matter how long the lockdown goes, you must keep the routine on track as the upset routine triggers mental issues.
- Meditate for some time every day in a quiet corner of your room or garden. This will help bring the mental alignment back, and you’ll feel in power and satiated again.
- Be mindful of what you eat, speak, read, and watch. Remember, what you feed your mind is what it will become. Instead of watching sensational and horrifying news all the time on the screens or social media, read up on authentic websites like the World Health Organization (WHO) to keep your mental health intact.
- Do not consume processed food or a diet replete with GMOs. Get organic foods and avoid a sugar-rich diet.
- Start some recreational activities such as kitchen gardening, painting, sketching, and learning some new skills online, etc., to keep yourself constructively engaged, which will leave you mentally content.
These are just a few ways to effectively transform your life amidst the lockdown and shun all gloomy thoughts so that your mental health remains undamaged, and you talk about this phase with pride to your grandkids in the post-COVID world.
Reference:
[1] Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic — the United States, June 24–30, 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm