Coronavirus Lockdown: Tips to protect your mental health amid the lockdown

number of patients with coronavirus is rising at a rapid rate and people may face a lot of challenges during lockdown days and this, in turn, can snatch away ir peace. People may get anxious, scared, panic, paraid, depressed and even suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To help people enhance ir mental well-being, listed below are some important strategies. Here are some tips to Protect Mental Health During Lockdown by Dr Sonal Anand, Psychiatrist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road.

Tips for protecting mental health amid Coronavirus lockdown

What people may experience during coronavirus?

• Panic attacks: With news of vel Coronavirus, people are suffering from panic attacks. When people get anxious y tend to suffer from panic attacks.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): It is an anxiety disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make m feel driven to do something repetitively. re are two vital things when it comes to OCD, one – people already being diagsed with it and may have re-emergence of an old problem. y may be fine before COVID-19 outbreak. Likewise, new OCD cases have also emerged owing to fear in minds of people. y feel that even y may get infected by coronavirus if y do t wash ir hands, disinfect ir house or step out of house.
• Psychosis: It can be described as a condition that affects way your brain processes information. One might see, hear, or believe things that aren’t real. It is a symptom and t an illness. This may happen when one stops taking medications that lead to reemergent of psychosis. Also, new psychosis cases can also emerge because of anxiety.
• Depression: Since, staying at home and social distancing is recommended, people are living a mundane life w and are unable to disclose ir feelings to anyone. This may trigger a depressive episode and people may end up feeling lonely as well. 

ALSO READ | Date Ideas While Maintaining Social Distancing During Coronavirus Lockdown

ALSO READ | Tyson Fury Gives Home Workout Lessons Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

Tips to follow

• Instead of getting depressed, paraid or scared, organise your day and make a list of activities you want to do.
• Balance your house chores and do t spend all time doing m. Get some ‘ME’ time for yourself and relax.
• Journaling can also be a good option. Maintain a journal about your activities, pen down your thoughts and feelings.
• Try relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga on a daily basis. Doing so can help you beat anxiety and depression. If you feel anxious n seek immediate medical attention.
• Do activities that make you happy and bring your peace. Reading, listening to music, solving puzzles, watching educational programs, painting or gardening can be a good idea.
• Physical health and mental health go hand-in-hand. Exercising at home can help one de-stress. One can do aerobics, stretching, walking or play hide and seek with ir kids.
• Stick to a well-balanced and a healthy diet. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, avoid binge eating and junk food that causes bloating and gas as it is loaded with salt. Stay hydrated and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
• Keep in touch with your family members and friends over phone. Spend quality time with your family (but don’t forget to maintain 6 feet distance).
• Stay away from social media and instead, watch entertaining programs.
• Only believe information that comes from reliable sources. Do t believe in rumours.

ALSO READ | Comfort Books To Read Amidst Coronavirus Lockdown To Ease One's Stress And Anxiety

ALSO READ | Sonam Kapoor’s Craving For Pani Puri Is Literally All Of Us In Coronavirus Lockdown