Catas-Trophy — The best step-up guide to Conquer from Coronavirus……….

By Karan Sharma with association of Miss Pritika chugh and Sakshi Budhiraja

This article from honourable psychologists from India in association with Karan Sharma talks about how can we manage to remain the best of beings in this situation of coronavirus pandemic ….

The world is facing a disaster due to COVID-19 outbreak and India is not an exception.

Few weeks ago, the place which was brimming with people almost everywhere is experiencing a sudden lockdown in the country. Lockdown has not only led to restriction of movement which is the need of an hour. But it has also impacted the mental health of the country. If we look at the SARS outbreak in 2003, we know there is evidence there that there were increased rates of anxiety, increased rates of depression and post-traumatic stress and, in some groups, there were also increased rates of suicide. People who are quarantined are very likely to develop a wide range of symptoms of psychological stress and disorder, including low mood, insomnia, stress, anxiety, anger, irritability, emotional exhaustion, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

The risk of mental illness is increased not just in the immediate future but even years after the stress has passed.It goes without saying that there is a risk of worsening or relapse in persons with existing mental illness. The stress can also tip vulnerable persons into alcohol and illicit substance abuse.

Persons who develop COVID-19 and require intensive (ICU) care, and especially those who require ventilatory support and later recover, would have been in fear of death. These patients are at high risk of developing a condition called posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that was first described in military veterans who had survived combat.

Here are the few self-help interventions to manage stress and to remain positive:

• Keep your regular routine.Maintaining a regular schedule is important to your mental health. In addition to sticking to a regular bedtime routine, keep consistent times for meals, bathing and getting dressed, work or study schedules, and exercise. 
• Limit exposure to news media.Constant news about COVID-19 from all types of media can heighten fears about the disease. Limit social media that may expose you to rumours and false information.
• Stay busy.A distraction can get you away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed anxiety and depression. Enjoy hobbies that you can do at home, identify a new project or clean out that closet you promised you'd get to. 
• Focus on positive thoughts.Choose to focus on the positive things in your life, instead of dwelling on how bad you feel. Consider starting each day by listing things you are thankful for. 
• Use your moral compass or spiritual life for support.If you draw strength from a belief system, it can bring you comfort during difficult times.
• Set priorities.Don't become overwhelmed by creating a life-changing list of things to achieve while your home. Set reasonable goals each day and outline steps you can take to reach those goals.

Connect with others

Build support and strengthen relationships:

• Make connections.If you need to stay at home and distance yourself from others, avoid social isolation. Find time each day to make virtual connections by email, texts, phone, or FaceTime or similar apps.
• Do something for others.Find purpose in helping the people around you. For example, email, text or call to check on your friends, family members and neighbours — especially those who are elderly. 
• Support a family member or friend.If a family member or friend needs to be isolated for safety reasons or gets sick and needs to be quarantined at home or in the hospital, come up with ways to stay in contact.

Last but not the least but spend time with your family, know them talk to them. Make the most of the quality time with them and support each other emotionally and mentally. Your grandparents and parents need you right now more than anyone else. Show that you love and care for them and try engaging in more and more recreational activities.

Hope you all like reading it !!!

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