What the Lockdown might do to your mental health? (And How to Cope)

The lockdown has created a strain on the mental health of women, thanks to the novel coronavirus crisis. The pandemic has triggered fear, anxiety, and added to the social tensions among women. Coping with the new normal has become a way of life for most of us.

I have many friends who are experiencing high stress during this period. I am no exception. The situation is grim as we are facing challenging times at home and work and coping with an uncertain future. Here are some of the problems women are facing and how can we go about coping with them.

Healthy habits getting compromised

The quarantine continues to have an emotional impact on all of us. Women have gained pounds during the quarantine. As per a WebMD survey, about 47 percent of the women are said to have gained weight during the isolation period. They reported more anxiety and more depressed than usual.

There was a noticeable change in eating and exercising practices too. Women are increasingly straying away from healthy habits. Women now have to manage to work from home to taking care of kids, to cooking to managing all the household chores. This has affected her physical and mental health totally. Under such circumstances, it is best for her to make self-care a priority.

Sleep Problems

The ongoing pandemic has created a strain on women’s economic resources. The pandemic has led to changes in sleep patterns among women as they worry more about financial implications. The drastic change in social life and daily routine has been a contributory factor for sleep loss – a disturbing trend noticed on the psychological well-being of women.

Burn out

Compared to men, the mental health of women is far worse. Women are forced to work more as the entire family is staying longer hours at home. Women are also adding extra hours to retain their jobs. There is hardly any free time for them. Mental stress and exhaustion among women are more. Several women have turned to social media like Instagram and are taking the help of online supportive communities. They have adopted a positive approach to deal with the situation.

Social isolation

The social isolation and social distancing measures are proving to be hard for young women, Teenagers and young girls from age 16-30 years are finding it difficult to stay away from their friends and social groups. They are now increasingly taking the help of the virtual world like chatting, mobiles, and iPhones to keep them connected. Their movements are limited, but their lives have been reconnected.

We need a good strategy to manage stress

While there are many who have found a way to lessen stress by doing regular exercises, yet there are countless others who are busy at home eating all the delicious homemade food which they missed earlier due to the hectic lifestyle. It has added to the weight gain and a feeling of uneasiness for most women. A healthy diet with regular exercises can help women to reduce anxiety. Eating at the right time and eating nutrient-rich foods can help balance their hormones and give them the right energy. Stress levels can be reduced by the regular practice of yoga. Doing routine exercises like walking around the neighborhood garden, or practicing deep meditation can help reduce symptoms of depression.

My Practice to help myself Cope

The impact of the pandemic has affected all of us deeply. Psychologically, it is a depressing moment for all of us. I read and hear positive affirmations of Louis Hay and Bob Proctor daily. The positive affirmations help me to express gratitude for all that I have received from life. It helps me to keep sane and to carry out my daily routines with peace. I utter these affirmations whenever I can.

My task has increased manifolds as I now have to cope with working from home, online learning of my daughter as well as looking after the needs of my family. But I am able to manage all these work with constant practice of daily affirmations. These days I don’t crib about not being able to visit my neighborhood friends or partying with them in the cafes. Rather I try to relax with a considerable me time. In the evenings I usually spend observing the chirping of the birds on the trees or sipping a cup of coffee amidst the lush green trees or taking a stroll in the garden. It gives me abundant joy and serenity within as I truly believe that if you are at peace with yourself then you can spread happiness around others.