Mental health is an integral and necessary component of overall health. A variety of socioeconomic, biological, and environmental factors influence mental health.
Individual well-being and effective functioning of a community are both dependent on good mental health.It has an impact on how we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we deal with stress, interact with others, and make decisions. Individual factors and experiences, family relationships and circumstances all have an impact on the quality of a person’s mental health.
Importance of Mental Health
- Mental Health is important as it has a direct impact on our physical health.
- It is related to our emotional well-being.
- It has an impact on one’s productivity and financial stability.
- It affects the development of positive personal relationships.
- It is linked with crime and victimization.
- It influences the quality of life
Impact of COVID-19 on Public Mental Health
The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a negative impact on the lives of the people. The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged almost every country on the planet, wreaking havoc on the mental health of millions of people.
The emotional responses caused by the pandemic may be more severe in vulnerable groups, such as people with pre-existing psychiatric disorders.The rapid human to human transmission of the SARSCoV2 virus resulted in the imposition of regional lockdowns to prevent the disease from spreading further. Isolation, social distancing, and the closure of educational institutions, workplaces, and entertainment venues forced people to stay at home in order to help break the transmission chain.
As a result, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of relapses or worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions may increase.The psychological state and health of a person living in a community, varies from person to person and is influenced by his background, professional and social standings. An unhealthy mind can lead to anxiety and depression, which can impair one’s ability to move around and stay active.
Youth have faced many pandemic-related repercussions, such as closure of university and loss of income , which may have affected to poor mental health. Loss of jobs leads to increase in the rate of depression, anxiety, distress, low self-esteem, and may lead to suicide during economic downturns. Adults in households with job loss or lower incomes have reported higher rates of mental illness symptoms than those in households without job or income loss.
Many essential workers face various challenges, including a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus than other workers. Essential workers are more likely to report symptoms of anxiety or depression than non essential workers.
How to cope up during COVID-19.
- By creating to do list – Having a schedule allows us to be productive during the day and to get enough sleep at night. Creating a schedule for various tasks and activities will help to alleviate anxiety issues.
- Exercise regularly- Exercise can improve a person’s mood and decrease feeling of depression, stress and anxiety. Exercising regularly keeps the body fit and helps in boosting energy levels. It also helps in lowering the risk of non communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer et cetera.
- Avoidexcessive watching of the news – Do not let the information of the pandemic in the news channels overflow you. Get information only from reliable websites and information sources that provide proven information and advice.
- By eating healthy- A healthy lifestyle can be achieved by eating a well-balanced diet that includes all of the essential nutrients that the body requires. Eating healthy food increases blood flow to the brain, which aids in the prevention of brain diseases.
- Spending time in nature- Exposure to nature helps in reducing stress and promotes healing. Going outdoors and getting sunlight can help boost the immune system. Including Ayurveda and Ayurvedic treatment in the routine makes one feel refreshed and revived.