Dealing With Mental Stress In A Season Of COVID-19
Toluwalope Alawode
It is no longer news that the coronavirus is taking its toll on the mental health of the human population and many would want a quick end to the pandemic so that life can return to normal, even if that would take a while.
In many countries, there has been a spike in alcohol consumption, substance abuse and a shocking rise in self-medication, all in a bid to deal with depressing thoughts.
Coupled with the mental stress that lockdown has brought on the world population, people, either sick or not, are getting hit in a way they have never seen, not even in a war situation. There is also a general palpable fear in many, brought on by the uncertainty over whether they would eventually be infected or not and a deeper fear at every similar symptoms to those of COVID-19.
It is not only those infected who suffer shortness of breath or dyspnea. Businesses the world over have no oxygen left in them, so much so that job losses are recorded daily and many businesses are shutting down, while many governments are no longer able to cater to their responsibilities.
In Nigeria, the Finance Minister was generous enough to reveal last week that many state governments may, as from June, find it difficult to meet their obligations, especially salaries.
It is then not out of place for people to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or
angry at a time when all around they are beset by bad news.
Experts have advised that one of the ways to deal with mental stress at this time is to talk to people you trust to help and staying in touch with family and friends.
Those who are under lockdown must strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home and by phone and email with other family and friends.
People must also refrain from turning to smoking, alcohol or substance abuse to deal with any depressing thoughts. It is also important to have a health worker or counselor to talk to or how to seek mental or medical help if the need arises.
It is not wrong to want to soak in a lot of information on TV, radio and online about COVID-19, but it is better to limit exposure to media coverage, especially the ones you find upsetting.
It is important to gather information that will help you to accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. This you can do via credible sources such as the World Health Organization’s website or a local public health agency.
And finally remember that this time shall pass, no matter how hard it may seem now.