The world paid harshly and gravely to the Covid-19 pandemic not only in terms of physical health but also in terms of mental and social health. We lost millions of lives, across the globe, but it didn’t stop there; the social isolation and mental suffering which this pandemic brought along gave a final blow to the situation turning life upside down for everyone.
FROM SOCIAL TO VIRTUAL
Work-life changed from real to online; we are fenced in our own spaces without being aware we are getting lost in this virtual world. We are not born to live a virtual life. We need real people and a real environment to groom and blossom. This drift from real to virtual is a major threat to our declining mental and social health.
OVERFLOWING INFORMATION
Our minds are cannoned with pandemic information now and then on the Internet which affects our behavior and mental state considerably. Also, at times it is misleading and contributes to confusion and chaos.
Incorporating few changes during the pandemic routine:
Our daily routine is disrupted by not moving out from the home to work and with this ‘work from home’ thing our mind remains in a constant phase of alertness.
Here are some real quick to help with our mental well-being:
Kick start the day by practicing some stretching exercises, yoga, or meditation. Do have a healthy and wholesome breakfast in the early morning hours to keep the body metabolically active and refreshing.
Try to balance work and other activities by laying out a proper plan for the day so that our brains get accustomed to a particular routine which helps in reactivating our mind and regaining focus.
Minimize social media usage to stay focused and not get swayed with misinformation now and then. Instead, watch a movie, read a book, or go for any offline hobby that interests you. It will give a magical boost to your body and help you unwind.
To have a healthy mind and soul, we need to tame our thoughts, build positivity and gratitude and cultivate an empathetic approach towards others. Life is hard for everyone and we need to come up empowering and uplifting each other because definitely, together we can create happy healthy families.
Developing an optimistic attitude:
Mankind witnessed deadlier pandemics before the Covid-19 pandemic but we successfully rooted them out from the core. We need to be patient, follow the necessary guidelines, and need not panic. We might have to struggle with these circumstances for a little longer but we need to keep the hope alive we will surely beat this off one day and we will emerge out much stronger than ever before.
It is all up to us how we cope, how we sustain our physical, mental, and social health. Days will come when stories will be told, books will be written and movies will be made portraying us, depicting our unified role and strategies to survive and sustain.
(The author is a physician and wellness advisor based in Salalah. Email: dr.nisma.amu@gmail.com)
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