HOW TO COPE UP WITH YOUR MIND AMIDST COVID-19
Lockdown – a word which was obscure before December 2019 has now become the talk of town with endless versions. This is of course because of the “Corona” breakout aka “COVID” pandemic.
But enough of the virus, let’s talk about human’s mental health during COVID-19. It is definitely a need of the hour irrespective of time. Ever since the virus started spreading to different parts of our country, various restrictions were implemented starting with “Complete Lockdown”. This resulted in shutting down of IT firms, educational institutions, travel or any organisation with more than 10 people. Apart from essentials, every single utility was closed and because of this, few started working from home, few lost their jobs, few had to close their only business which was a sole purpose of their bread and butter, the list goes endlessly.
All of this had a huge impact in all the three sectors – primary, secondary, tertiary and none of us could go do a thing about it. From being “strive and succeed”, it turned upside down to “survive and strive”. Honestly, nobody expected this revolution within such a short span of time. Almost 90% of people are now staying at home either with a job or without a job or waiting for their exam results. The cycle of growth is now stuck in between and struggling to move forward. The current generation is stressed about sustaining their jobs and getting a job. The next generation is stressed about what’s next? When will we write the boards? When will I step into college life?
But the real question here is, why is this a huge issue? The answer is simple: Imagine a bird which has been flying freely around the world. Now, due to circumstances it is put in a cage for more than 100 days without knowing the day of freedom. This is our exact situation right now. One might ask, you are told to stay inside your house. Isn’t it wonderful? Initially it can be. But later? After 100 days of staying at home?
As a matter of fact, we are stressed like anything but there are some life transitioning and life transforming solutions for this.
1. Develop a routine/habit
Being at home is always a blissful feeling because it is that time you can develop various habits. Set right your sleep cycle. Early to bed, early to rise. eat well, get 30mins of early morning sunlight, drink 3-4 litres of water everyday. Make this a daily habit as this is the time you can literally eat, sleep, maybe work and you won’t be questioned for doing that. Jokes apart, developing this basic routine will definitely change the way you see the world or even yourself.
2. Stay fit
During lockdown, chances are high that your bed becomes your closest friend, so close that you don’t leave it until it’s pee pee time or poo poo time. Before lockdown we hardly went to gym despite paying fees, made new year resolutions on fitness etc etc. Only few caught hold of it and went to being fit. Fitness is an emotion many of us don’t prefer using. It keeps our bones and muscles, strong and flexible. Staying fit doesn’t mean you have to lift weights. You may practice Yoga too. These practices keep you physically as well as mentally strong. Get expert advices or you always have google (the right way). Start shredding some sweat. Know your inner self.
3. Bond with your family
Gone are those times where you spend quality time with your family during weekends or during vacation. It is now you and your family inside a house 24/100*. This is the time you should bond with them. Talk to your parent(s) individually and together, find out what’s running in their mind. Talk your heart out, understand their necessities and expectations and vice versa. Love, affection and care doesn’t have limitations per say so learn the things you have always admired to learn from them. Make it a two way communication, guide them instead belittling them if they go wrong. Correct yourself if you are wrong. Be with them instead of just being in your own world. In this way, you will learn to understand them rather than being understood alone.
4. Study courses
There are tons and tons of courses online which you could take up for free. Explore yourself if you are figuring out as to what you can do with life. Explore different fields and gain more knowledge because any knowledge is good knowledge.
Example: coursera, google digital marketing, online theatre classes.
5. Write/Speak
Many of us don’t prefer writing down our thoughts and it is not that wrong an issue. We have this taboo of bottling down our thoughts until it bursts out on its own. HELL NO! Writing down your thoughts or talking to someone you know and trust helps you free your mind. It can be as simple as writing a rhyme that comes in your mind or singing a song that’s stuck in your mind for a long time. Start with basic writing, do this continuously and you yourself will see some change in yourself. If writing is not your cup of tea, speak. Speak with people you know and trust, speak your heart out. The more you speak the more you get relieved.
Lockdown has got us stressed but it is not the end. It is the beginning towards a better self. It is pretty natural for your mind to go crazy during these tough times but stay put. Follow a regime. Push yourself from being a couch potato and figure out a new you, version 2.0 maybe! This is the time you can use to utilise who you actually are. Stay calm. Believe in yourself. Reach out to people. Stay healthy and most importantly STAY HOME! STAY SAFE!