Written By: Nurbanu Somani
Individuals globally have been impacted by the effects stemming from the covid-19 pandemic. As lockdown implications were imposed upon global societies, individuals had to acclimatise to another way of living. We have all been subject to making massive changes within our daily routine. Individuals have been subject to transformative occupational decisions where they have had to re-skill and upskill, some have been made redundant or faced temporary unemployment. Students have faced a transition from face-to-face education to online learning and now blended learning. The lack of physical contact between family and friends was difficult because human beings are social animals. We had to adapt to novel ways of staying in touch using technology like video calling, or interactive video conferencing. Many have become accustomed to wearing personal protective equipment like masks and gloves with the attempt to stay safe and limit virus contraction. All these factors have created challenges for individuals. The covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing mental health challenges and impinged upon individuals with good mental health.
Is mental health always negative?
According to the World Health Organization, mental health is “A state of well-being, in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. So, it’s refers to our cognitive, emotional and behavioural well-being. So, in other words it relates to how we think, behave and feel. We all have mental health, because the way that we think, behave, and feel key factors of our everyday lives. In our relationships with family, friends, and each other. If we look after our mental health, then we can enjoy life more.
How can I look after my mental health?
There are many things that we can do to look after our mental health and provide support to those that may require it. We should make the necessary changes to make ourselves happy. We should aim to be active, for example exercise, can minimise some of the emotional intensity that we feel. It helps us to clear our thoughts and deal with our problems in a calm manner. We should stay calm and take control of the situation because to every problem there is a solution. If we think we can do something and believe in ourselves, then surely, we will find a solution. This is an act of empowerment, and this self-belief will result in the solution that you believe in. Managing mental and emotion health can be eased by ensuring that we have a good support system, it could comprise of family members, friends or even colleagues who you can share your concerns with. You will find encouragement and a fresh perspective through which you can view the situation in a different way. Never doubt your abilities, if you are unsure on something detach yourself from the situation and give yourself the advice you would give to a close friend or family. Do activities that you enjoy. Ensure you have a routine through which you wake up and go to sleep at a similar time, you ensure you take care of your personal hygiene and eat healthy meals. You must exercise and ensure you have allocated times for working and resting. Always aim to help each other and we must realise that we cannot always change a situation, so we should concentrate on the aspects of life we can change and do our best in every situation. If you feel that you have too much to do, then by planning ahead we can split up our tasks into easier more manageable parts. Aim to get rid of negative emotions and replace them with positive emotions, with the aim of finding happiness and joy in what we are doing.
What should I avoid?
Aim to avoid unhealthy habits, anything in excess is not good for us. Stay informed through trusted sources and reduce social media newsfeeds especially if it makes you feel distressed and anxious. You should limit or better still cease the amount of alcohol and drug use because for many people, it is a method through which individuals deal with anxiety, fear, social isolation or boredom which can then have potential detrimental consequences. Be aware of the amount of time you spend on the screen, it is important to take regular breaks, this includes playing video games. Social media can be a potential source of misinformation, therefore ensure you acquire the correct information from trusted sources but utilise social media to stay connected to family and friends, while being inspired by positive and helpful quotes and stories.
