Mental wellness during a health crisis

Social distancing’s good for our physical health right now, but when it comes to our psychological wellbeing, many of us are struggling to cope with being alone.

- SHANNON MANUEL

Living in isolation and being apart from our loved ones for a long time is something most of us have never experienced before. It’s normal to feel stressed if you have to stay indoors and interact less with people, especially if you’re also worried about catching Covid-19. While it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you, these factors could increase your chances of developing a mental health issue such as anxiety or depression. When your brain recognises you’re disconnected and lonely, it sounds the anxiety alarm. You may experience an accelerated heart rate, sleep disturbance, emotional outbursts, and find yourself checking your electronic devices obsessively, desperate for a connection. So, how can you regain control?