Mental Health And The Pandemic

Ever feel extremely tired and drained even though you haven't done anything all day? Have you ever been restless without any reason, or just weren't able to sleep well at reasonable hours? Perhaps you simply aren't able to process what is being spoken about in your online class or meeting. What if I told you that this was completely and absolutely normal? Crazy, isn't it. But trust me. You aren't going mad; there's actually a very valid explanation to whatever you’re going through. These are the effects that physical isolation has on your mental health. “Physical isolation is the circumstance of you being alone and physically cut off from people.” Does that ring a bell? Of course it does, because every human that walks this planet is currently practicing physical isolation, because of this seemingly never-ending pandemic. The past year has taken a major toll on everyone’s physical and mental health- with all the social distance and not being able to leave the house. Now how do we cope with all this and improve our mental state? Well, UNICEF has created a guide on Instagram, and it goes a little something like this:

1. Process your feelings “For anyone feeling anxious, isolated and disappointed, know this: you are not alone. Processing feelings looks different for everyone. What’s important is that you do what feels right for you.” A few ways that could help you process your feelings and emotions (and come to terms with them) are as follows:

a) Write down what you feel- Recording your feelings helps you to give a physical form to your emotions, consequently making them easier to process.

b) Talk to people- We’re fortunate to have access to technology and social media at this point in time. Make good use of this and stay in contact with your family and friends; you can talk to them about what you're going through and seek comfort and maybe even advice. (as long as they are in the right frame of mind and consent to it themselves)

c) Consciously take note of your feelings/emotions- Acknowledging your feelings helps a great deal in processing them. Simply saying “Oh I’m mad.” or “I’m feeling a bit anxious.” usually does the trick.

2. Take time to reflect “When you're under difficult conditions, it can be helpful to divide problems into two categories: things I can do something about, and things I can do nothing about. There is a lot that falls under that second category right now, and that’s okay.” It’s important to reflect on and acknowledge your feelings. Spend a few minutes daily to meditate or simply just sit by yourself to think. You could learn a lot when you take the time to listen to your heart and mind. Put in the extra effort to pay attention to yourself- it’s not like you have anything else to do anyways.

3. Keep moving “If you are spending more time at home, it’s important to keep moving. Regular exercise has numerous benefits for your body and mind. If you can, try to exercise daily.” Undoubtedly, physical wellness equals mental wellness. And especially right now, we all need to pay more attention to our body in order to feel satisfied and calm our minds. We need to focus on something, might as well be for the betterment of our body.

4. Share kind notes “Playing our part might mean we are apart, but together we can fill the space between us with kindness and support.” The best feeling in the world is when you're reminded that you are loved by the people you care about. So why not do the same for others? Making people that mean to you happy, makes you happy too, right?

5. Get creative... and breathe “Have you been wanting to learn how to do something new, like mindfulness or drawing? Now is the time to do just that. Focusing on yourself and finding ways to use your new‑found time is a productive way to look after your mental health.” There are various platforms which give you easy access to learn about your creative interests. Put them to use! With Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and even Twitch at your disposal, the sky’s the limit. So, go fulfil that dream you had of playing the guitar for your crush, or learn how to draw a portrait of your friend for their birthday. And hey, you could always join us here at Alleviate in our music and dance workshops!

Our mental health has an impact on how we think, feel and act as we deal with life's challenges. It also influences how we deal with stress, interact with people, and make decisions. From childhood and youth through adulthood and ageing, mental health is critical at all stages of life. So remember, “Just because no one can heal or do your inner work for you doesn't mean you can should or need to do it alone” -Lisa Oliver

Written by : Tanisha Srikanth