Covid-19 lock down: Mental health hazards and it’s possible solution

Covid-19 Lock Down: Mental health hazards and it’s possible solution

-Ms Ashmita Shrestha
Lecturer, Koshi Health Science Campus 

Today in 2020, there is no one who does not know/ have heard about covid-19. Covid-19 pandemic is rapidly increasing worldwide, thus it is developing a considerable degree of fear, worry and concern in population. In Jan 2020, WHO declared the outbreak of new corona virus disease, covid-19 to be a public health emergency of international concern. 

Being a human, we need to connect, communicate, interact and above all be touched to feel. The power of physical touch may last for a very short time but it leaves a lasting impact on every one of us. Unfortunately, to fight against covid-19, we have been asked to maintain social distancing/ to be quarantine. Currently an estimated 2.6 billion people- i.e. 1/3^rd of world’s population is living under some kind of lock down/ quarantine. People who are in lock down/ quarantine are very likely to develop a wide range of symptoms of psychological stress and anxiety. People get frightened easily and once they are frightened, they get anxious. And it is ok for every one of us to feel so in the current situation because some anxiety is good for us. It compels us to think and act what is right for us. People typically bounce back after difficult times. But if anxiety exceeds beyond our limits, it induce other psychological symptoms like low mood, insomnia, anger, irritability, emotional exhaustion, depression, obesity (due to emotional eating), etc. self quarantine had already affected people’s usual activities, routines/ livelihood.

One of the study, reporting on long term effects of SARS quarantine among health workers found a long term risk for alcohol abuse, self medication, long lasting avoidance behavior, etc. This proves that year after being quarantined, some health workers still avoid being close contact with patients by simply not showing up for work.

It is very important for every one of us to realize that mental health should also be equally considered on the frontline. We should focus on the seriousness of mental health threat that is faced by each and every individual, family, community and our nation. One of the most effective ways of managing stress and anxiety is to focus on those actions that are in our control. Make sure you hear the good quality of information from an authorized organization like CDC, WHO, good news organization national and local. Do not spend too much of time looking at the news. We do not need to be informed every 5 minutes/ constantly looking at phones. Set limits around news and social media. Social distancing is a way to fight against covid-19 but social connection is very important which can be done via phones, chats, video calls, e- mails, internet, etc. May be one of the reasons for social distancing is we do not have enough ICU beds, ventilators and also even enough health care workers to look after covid-19 patients who need intensive care needs.  

To be physically and mentally healthy, we need to work on our physical health as well as mental health. Even mindfulness meditation (fully engaged with what we are doing at the moment- free from distraction) is one way to truly experience the current moment and integrate that awareness into everyday life. We have to eat well (balanced diet) and sleep well (at least 6-8 hours at night, avoid day time sleep) and simultaneously engage ourselves in those activities that makes us happy. It is very important to maintain our day to day activities and try not to forget that healthy routine can have positive impact on our thoughts and feelings. Even though we are in lock down/ quarantine, there are many alternative ways to stay healthy and develop new routines like reading novels, gardening, sketching, painting, poetry, music, singing, dancing, creative arts, making tiktok and showing your creativity, working from home and even reading your own school and colleges books as we all know it’s been a long time that school and colleges has been closed. And it is the best time to utilize for revision and can even go for the online classes as well. If there is a problem, there is definitely a solution. 

Thus, act logically, act with kindness; act with love and act according to the situation but with physical distancing. Physical distancing is not social isolation. Keeping each other safe and mentally connected is everyone’s responsibility. Try to think and look around the beauties of the world not just the horror and pain. Be positive, be strong, be safe, maintain social distance and keep your mental health healthy. 

-Ms Ashmita Shrestha
Lecturer (Masters in Psychiatric Nursing)

Koshi Health and Science Campus