Effect on mental health due to covid-19

Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown have brought about a sense of fear and anxiety around the globe. This phenomenon has led to short-term as well as long-term psychosocial and mental health implications in children and adolescents. This pandemic has caused various physical as well as mental health problems among youth and for people of all other age groups. It is not easy for all of us to remain packed in one place for a long time, it has started causing depression, anxiety issues, fear and various other mental health problems. Children away from school, their friends and staying at home can experience all the kinds of mental breakdowns mentioned above. Children can experience some of the following changes in their behavior i.e.,

●      Excessive crying and annoying behavior

●      Difficulties with concentration and attention

●      Changes in, or avoiding, activities that they enjoyed in the past

●      Unexpected headaches and body aches

●      Changes in eating habits

I’ve experienced a lot of changes during this pandemic. In my opinion, one of the major reasons for all these rising mental health issues is the news media which makes up a significant part of our environment. Constant negative media articles, videos could make us feel a little overwhelmed, stressed and even depressed. 

It is healthy to have an interest in news and current events, but developing obsessive habits of consuming news and information can be dangerous for your mental health. So to distract myself from this, I’d watch something that interests me or do something productive like enhancing a skill or developing a new one. 

It is not possible for anyone to always stay positive and motivated in this pandemic so it's okay to feel irritated, agitated, annoyed at times - you may even wish to cry. I also feel the same sometimes. That's why I shared my experience of coping up with my roller coaster ride of emotions. I have a lot of friends who have lost their loved ones in this pandemic and it’s very difficult to stay calm and remain in that same environment but we have no other choice.   

All those who are reading this article and are going through the same mental conditions because of this pandemic, I hereby recommend all of you to try and practice the following things which may help you to overcome your problems or distract you from them:

●     Start reading a book 

●     Do things which you are good at and enjoy doing it or do something you some how lost touch with 

●     Learn a new skill

●     Exercise daily and meditate

●     Watch your favourite series or movie

And remember one thing you are not the only one who is experiencing all this, the whole world is suffering and this shall pass soon. Everything will come back to its track soon so don’t panic and remain inside because if we follow the rules then only this pandemic will come to its end and try to remain positive and motivated as much as you can. We all are in this together.