How Adolescents are coping with Lockdown the surprise vacation?

Since the Novel coronavirus outbreak has forced everyone to stay at home due to the lockdown. We tried to talk about “Life during the Covid-19 lockdown” to adolescents and also to a clinical Psychologist and this is what they had to say.

Adolescence is the most active stage of one’s life, not only physically but mentally also there is a sense of overdrive all along. So, when COVID 19 brought a full stop to the wandering, carefree children how did they react. Etv Bharat Sukhibhava spoke to some bundle of energies, about how are they dealing with the surprise extended holidays.

“Amidst the hectic schedule, where I barely got time for myself, this lockdown, or as I like to call it 'surprise vacation', is really like a vacation that no one anticipated. Life has slowed down and I get time for myself. I have not set up any schedule for the lockdown; I like to enjoy every day differently. I write, dance, exercise and cook and do the daily chores. Sometimes I even draw. I try to break my own sleep records. The best part about my lockdown is that whatever I do, my objective is to just express myself and enjoy it and its okay even if I am not good at it or even if it's not productive enough. I do whatever my heart says. The most important thing that this lockdown has taught me is that nothing is in our control, so we shouldn't stress about anything and live everyday as if there is no tomorrow. Take life as it comes and don't worry about future. Things will fall in place.”

Shambhavi Rangnekar (20 years)

“I might say , lockdown has caused lot of mental health issues for instance over thinking and anger issues , but apart from that days have been really boring because I don’t know what I am supposed to do and just leaves me bored , missing my friends and just outside life of meeting people , my sleeping schedule has gotten worse because of lock down since I have nothing to do and my body is just at rest , what I like to do is , take care of my skin and hair look about myself a bit and although I don’t exercise I'm planning to exercise, I watch some series which keeps me busy and just have it in my mind to set some goals after the lock down ends”

Pranjal (19 years)

“I am really bored of this lockdown but sometimes we have to follow the instructions for the safety of ourselves. I never thought that the lockdown would last so long. I mostly spend time in studying reading book, learning household chores, playing video games and spending time with family. This is the only time where we can bond with our family and learn new things. I have learnt to cook food, keep my clothes properly, water the plants, clean the floor and make up my bed. If there was no Coronavirus, I would have been playing with my friends

Soham (14 years)

Ms. Samruddhi Patkar, Clinical Psychologistopined that “The concept of E. Q is relevant here. Coping mechanisms will depend on how aware the adolescents are about the emotions, how resilient they are in times of crisis, their patterns of thinking in terms of reacting v/s responding.

-Stress is never external but is our innate response to an external event hence first and foremost they have to be aware of how they think and accept how they are feeling rather than suppressing the emotions..., talk about how they feel to significant others.

Indulging in whatever activities they like. It can be cooking, painting, music, drama acts therapeutic

Make a routine for some exercises as it’s important for a healthy mind and fitness

Don't compare your skills or how you are coping with others as everybody is in a different boat though it’s the same storm.”