R you ok? Feeling good or are feeling anxious, listless, uninterested, uncertain, sad, depressed … and everything in between? You know, what? It’s ok not to feel ok in these uncertain times. But if you feel you can’t cope please speak to your GP or find out where you can find help.
Looking after or talking about our mental health is as important as our physical health but we don’t give it enough importance. Most of us think it’s just a temporary phase, which will go away but if unchecked and untreated it can have drastic effects on our wellbeing and daily life. And, the pandemic has exacerbated this.
Dr Mitali Das, a medical practitioner and psychiatrist says anxiety is normal during uncertain times, which we are currently experiencing with no end in sight. Also, there is too much information or misinformation on the pandemic.
Her suggestions to keep yourself happy are :
- Maintain closeness and social contact with other people—family, friend and work colleagues
- Break your tasks into chunks—getting the desired results helps in a sense of pride.
- Keep your humour—laugh with friends and watch funny videos (dog and cat videos are great).
- Pick up a hobby (music, cooking), do puzzles with your family, or download useful Apps like mindfulness and cognitive behaviour therapy.
- Avoid watching news 24/7 and discussing, reading and forwarding WhatsApp messages on the pandemic.
- Eat healthy and stay fit—go for a walk with your family. It’s easy to let go when we’re anxious.