The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a whole new set of challenges that very few of us are equipped to handle adequately. From the massive loss of life and rising unemployment, the long-term impacts of COVID-19 are undeniable. To get through this time, we need to work together and be there for each other, helping financially or investing our time with the people around us as the pandemic has taken a massive emotional toll on all of us. We need to learn the art of stress management - as not everyone is equipped to handle the changes the pandemic has brought with it. The pandemic has created stressful situations for everyone, from students, to office-goers, to the retired and elderly. While the students are worried about their academics and placements, many workers have to work from home, and in worse cases, lose their means of livelihood altogether. The elderly are especially vulnerable to the virus, requiring them to be extra careful and avoid leaving the house. We need to practice stress relief exercises while we're all cooped up at home. It can be simple activities such as meditation and breathing. One may also take up yoga or other forms of physical exercise, as these are known to help reduce feelings of stress. COVID might be a great time to work on our passion projects or pick up a new skill, allowing us to feel a sense of accomplishment. Talking to friends and family can also help reduce feelings of stress, as it helps us realize that we're all in this together even while physically not being together.
Along with stress management, we need to emphasize the need for wellness awareness. The current situation has put many of us plans on pause and has changed our daily routines. Many of us are staying alone with zero contact with other people, and some of us are quarantining with family, which in some cases can also be very stressful and tiring. With this, there come many feelings of anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression. Due to this, we've seen an increase in the number of suicide cases and self-harm cases. There needs to be more aware of these mental diseases, as we cannot afford to lose people to mental illnesses. By being mindful, we can be available, which might often be the difference between life and death.
Along with managing stress and other negative feelings, we also need to keep our nutrition in check. Nutrition management has become increasingly difficult during the pandemic, as for many of us, our usual eating methods have been put on pause. From stopping home delivery, going out, and allowing cooks and cleaners at home, we need to learn to feed ourselves. This is difficult as many of us are not equipped to do this, due to various reasons such as the inability to cook or being unaware of what constitutes a balanced diet. Luckily for us, these skills can be learned, and the internet is our best friend! From blogs and videos detailing each step that goes into preparing food, and tons of articles and books to help us find a diet that works for us, we can pick up these skills rapidly. Learning to cook is a great skill that many of us can benefit from.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a whole new set of problems, our only solution is to rise to the challenge. When it's all finally over (which it will), we will come out stronger.
