Written By: Shubhangi Dutta
Edited By: Vedika Mandapati
Designed By: Aadiyaa Kurupp
Dear reader,
Hey there. How’ve you been feeling? Is everything okay at home? Are you happy? Relaxed? I hope so. Unless… Have you been feeling stressed or worried lately? Have you been sleeping well? Do you get irritated more often these days? If I placed a mood ball in your hand right now, what colour would it turn into?
2020 has been a crazy year so far indeed. On a scale from 1-10, how well have you been able to cope with these uncertainties? Things have been really hard, and undoubtedly, quarantine has taken quite a toll on us: good and bad, physical and mental.
There is not only the constant looming fear of contracting the coronavirus thus staying safe all the time, but also the stigma surrounding this “life-threatening” disease.
Our world is facing a mental health fallout due to the pandemic. Millions of people have lost their loved ones and livelihoods. Health workers are operating with their life on the line, and they face an unbelievable amount of responsibility and stress. The growing stigma is leading to discrimination, which is increasing anxiety within the community. The general population is in a state of panic and grief. Researches show that in the past, economic instability and unemployment have led to an incidence in heart diseases. Unfortunately, all of this bad news just seems to get worse each passing day.
Moreover, the online classes, multiple deadlines, and exams can really get to our nerves and stress us out. To top it all off, for most of us, the lack of social contact is intensifying loneliness, and there seems to just be no way out from this tense boredom. We’re tired of studying, but procrastinating even a little has consequences. Not being able to spend time with friends is awful, but if we spend too much time on social media, we get distracted. 10 minutes of studying feels like 1 hour, but how does 1 hour of texting feel like 10 minutes? That’s insane, but a mood.
On top of all these pressures, we are dealing with a never-ending series of online examinations, multiple IA submissions, EE deadlines, the new world of TOK, the stress of receiving our grades, college applications, and, wow, the list just never seems to end! Spending hours after hours on the screen can really exhaust us, but taking a break also feels as though it comes with a price. Not to forget, being surrounded by our parents is definitely comforting, but it can get tiresome too sometimes. Surprisingly, staying at home 24/7 hasn’t been easy, right?
We must look after our mental health. It’s okay to not feel okay- like I talked about, there are enough ‘reasons’ to in case (on top of everything) you were worried that your health was deteriorating out of nowhere.
What are some things you can do, while being at home? Firstly, try following a routine; sleep during the similar hours every day, exercise, and eat healthy meals regularly. Don’t do one activity for a prolonged time, take breaks in between. Try finding time to pursue some hobbies too. Be aware of how much time you spend on the screen; reduce it if possible.
Secondly, social contact is important during this time; spend time with people close to you and keep in touch with friends. Most importantly, avoid over-watching newsfeeds, and correct misinformation if you see it. Promote positive and hopeful stories. Sounds idealistic, I know.
Trust me though, it really helps. I hope you stay healthy and safe.
Shubhangi Dutta
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