Dear Reader,

How are you doing?
Please take some time to answer this. Your emotions are valid.

With the lockdown extension and uncertainty of life during and after the pandemic, it's perfectly okay to be afraid, confused, indifferent and maybe excited.


The first step is ensuring that you're in touch with your inner self.

As you stock up on food, we wanted to share a few tips on staying mentally healthy this period. Some of the emotional issues that accompany seasons of uncertainty are:

Anxiety
Loneliness
Paranoia
Panic attacks

Anxiety

Anxiety is an intense, excessive,persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. You experience an increase in heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating and feeling tired may occur.

Solution: If you feel two or more of these symptoms. Try breathing exercises but when this lasts for a longer duration, please see a therapist.


Loneliness

Feeling sad and unhappy about being socially isolated this period is understandable. For a lot of people separated from loved ones during this lockdown, it can get increasingly lonely but don't be distraught, here's what you can do:

Solution: If you live alone, try to stay in touch with family and friends through phone calls, video calls, and text. Don't be shy to initiate conversations. You can play games over the phone and initiate online group activities. You can also jump on the #dontrushchallenge and #bopdaddychallenge, only remember to tag us and we'll be there cheering you on.



Paranoia

Paranoia is an unrealistic distrust of others or a feeling of being persecuted. In this period, you might feel panicky and hypersensitive especially with the news of unrest going round.

Solution: learn to separate facts from feelings, keep your living space well lighted and eat healthy meals as at when due to decrease agitation. Also, reduce the amount of unnecessary news content you consume per time.

Please Note: Extreme degrees of paranoia may be a sign of mental illness and the service of a mental health practitioner will be required.


Panic attacks

Panic attacks are sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety and exhibition of physical symptoms, based on perceived threat rather than imminent danger.

Solution: Breathing exercises; breathe out, breathe in, hold for 4 seconds, exhale through the mouth for 8 seconds and repeat 4 times.

Please note: that an extension of any of the above for a long period of time might be an indication of an underlying health issue that requires the service of a mental health practitioner.


We implore you to stay strong in this season of social distancing and self-isolation.

We will get through this

Also, remember to maintain personal hygiene, especially constant hand washing, drinking lots of water and staying indoors.


Source:::Auto-genius

Lalasticala

A wonderful post you have there.