Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Besides wreaking havoc on the health, economy and social fabric of the world, the Covid-19 pandemic has also proven to be a tormentor for the mental health of so many around the world. Just when we thought that probably things may now get back on track, another variant of coronavirus- ‘Omicron’ has emerged.
The need to wear a mask and all the mandated precautious has now only increased due to this new variant that has threatened to bring the world to a halt, yet again.
However, unlike the beginning of the pandemic that was dotted by shock and surprise, this time around, the chances of it impacting the mental health of billions has only become greater.
The experience of previous virus outbreaks and the fear of the new variant has increased emotional, social and financial pressure leading to mental stress in almost every individual.
In these uncertain times, there are a few things that can be done to cope up with the anxiety, depression and fear that the news of Omicron will undoubtedly bring. In today’s blog,
Focus on healthy food for thought
What you consume, whether meals or information directly impact your mental well-being. Thus, it is necessary to keep a check on the information being fed to the brain.
Consuming doom scrolling information can develop a feeling of anxiety and fear which can lead to negative psychological changes, such as paying more attention to negative information in your surrounding.
In such a scenario, interpreting a situation to be threatening becomes common, and instead of looking for a solution, you may worry about how things could go wrong.
Research conducted to track how a mind is affected by the information consumed, found that people who were doom surfers were less optimistic about their future and had more sadness and anxiety in their lives.
Self-compliment is a good way to go
The 24×7 coverage of the coronavirus and its latest variant can easily trigger anxiety, making you feel that things can easily get out of control. This can make it hard for you to collect the energy to do enjoyable activities or hard work that can make you feel proud.
Yet, it is important to do rewarding activities precisely at this time, as they can distract and make you feel good about yourself.
Try cooking different dishes, working out, listening to music, painting, and all those activities that you find rewarding and that can distract you from getting anxious or sad. They can help boost positive emotions, stay energetic, and may even help in managing depression.
Socialising & helping others
Studies conducted during the previous two Covid-19 lockdowns showed that people who had frequent conversations with their close ones experienced lower levels of loneliness and were less prone to depression.
This includes both:
- A conversation with someone to reduce your mental stress
- A conversation to help a person reduce his/her mental stress
Helping others can help promote your mental and physical well-being while reducing negative stress build-up.
So if someone you know is going through depression or experiences a problem in dealing with stress, call and help them by having an empathetic conversation. Being the listener can create a distraction from negative thoughts and make them feel better.
Yoga for mental health
Several studies back the fact that yoga can help in improving mental health in numerous ways, such as:
- Calming the mind
- Increasing focus
- Improving mood
- Helping build confidence
- Improving patience
Top ten yoga asanas that are good for mental health:
- Anjaneyasana – The high lunge
- Garudasana – The eagle pose
- Natrajasana – The dancer’s pose
- Virabhadrasana – The warrior pose
- Adho Mukha Vrksasana – Basic handstand
- Vajrasana – Simple sitting pose
- Padmasana – The lotus pose
- Vrikasana – The tree pose
- Savasana – The dead body pose
- Chakrasana – The wheel pose
Final thoughts
Living through a pandemic can be tough and challenging, making it hard to cope with such a situation. But the above-mentioned four important tips can help in managing your mental health.
However, if you believe that the stress of the ongoing pandemic is affecting your mental and physical health, then it’s best to take a preventive health check-up.
The health check can offer a comprehensive insight into your health and help you to take preventive measures for a healthier you.
