Hyderabad: The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted people in varying ways on an international scale.
It is understandable that during times like this, people may be feeling afraid, worried, anxious and overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus.
Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children.
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.
Many leading social innovators who are experts in the field of mental health and healthcare have given their insights to handle such stress and anxiety.
Chris Underhill, an expert on global mental health, proposes a "framework for the day," for the people who are working from home.
How to stay mentally healthy
"Implement the same practices as you would on any other day (before the crisis) wake up, make your bed, shower, shave, eat your breakfast, etc.," he explains.
He also suggests to give oneself a fixed number of hours to work and to allow oneself to take short breaks in between.
Underhill also recommends activities such as cooking, doing household chores or listening to music in order to switch off from work.
"Limiting the consumption of news during this period can also exacerbate the feelings of anxiety," he added.
How to help friends and family members who are anxious
Bob Filbin, co-founder and chief data scientist at Crisis Text Line, says that the global issues like this can feel incredibly overwhelming because there is so much uncertainty around it.
He says, "Using words such as ‘day’, ‘week’ and ‘year’ when speaking to someone experiencing anxiety, gives them a sense of time and reassures them that this period will not last forever.”
He also suggests to make such individuals believe that they are not alone in feeling the way do.
"Normalising the anxiety and making someone believe that this feeling is normal, and they are not the only one experiencing the, can be very relaxing for them.
Although, self-isolation may be difficult for us all, some people are more vulnerable to its potential negative effects, including those experiencing child abuse or domestic violence.
"Our data is showing that finances can also serve as a stressor, so it is important to look out for those who are confronted with possible loss of jobs and livelihoods," Filbin states.
How to support employees' mental wellbeing
As the pandemic has changed the work culture, it's very necessary that employers must look after the wellbeing of their employees.
For example, Workit Health has ensured its employees have access to “safe housing, transportation or any other means they may find suitable for the safety.”
Researchers stress the significance of connection through epidemics. They found that staying connected with others offsets negative mental health.
As connection is so important during this time, here are some tips on staying connected to others during this time.
If there is someone you think may struggle through social isolation, it is important to reach out to them and let them know you care:
- Call them to check on their welfare
- Send a message
- Leave a note under their door
- Don’t underestimate the power you have to offer hope to another person.
Things you can do yo support your children
- Take time to with your children about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
- Reassure your children that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
- Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
Also Read: Proposed UN resolution calls COVID-19 a threat to peace
