Although the Covid-19 situation has improved, with many more people travelling and getting back to normal life, many people are still grappling with the mental health issues the pandemic caused.
Month after month of being at home, not seeing loved ones or having a routing, getting sick and loss of friends, family or job, has made the pandemic much more than just a physical issue.
Bangalore-based psychologist Dr Richa Mehrotra of Mpower says, “The pandemic’s overwhelming uncertainty has undeniably left implications on people’s mental health. The most common concern is anxiety, which stemmed from fear, about health, losing loved ones, or plain mass hysteria around the virus’s spread. This has further progressed to OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and depression in many cases.” However, there are ways you can cope with the mental effects of the pandemic.
Watch your behaviour
In the early days of the pandemic, there was not as much information on how the virus spreads and how long it lives on surfaces for. We washed and sanitised everything. However, with more information at our disposal, excessive cleaning and hygiene that gets in the way of daily life should be observed. “Individuals should take note of irregular and unwarranted behaviour and thought patterns,” says Mehrotra. Common behaviours include excessive hand washing, compulsive cleaning, and a nagging sense of fear. “Seeking help and aid early on from professionals will help you cope faster and effectively,” she adds.
When you have a routine, you tend to have a better sense of control.
Avoid triggers
While it is good to keep up to date with the situation around us, going overboard or being obsessed with information around the virus will not
