Staying Positive Through The Pandemic

The lockdown can be either a source of stress and anxiety or our spiritual and mental growth, depending on how we approach it, says Nikita Mukherjee

- Nikita Mukherjee

Our mental makeup is how we think, feel, and act. Mental health, thus, is decided by how you cope with stress. It is of utmost importance to take care of mental health because we perceive this world through our mind. In case of poor mental health, we will go astray and will not be able to experience life in its real sense,” says Mr Santosh Joshi, Life Transformation Coach, author, speaker, mentor, and founder of SKY Healing.

Mental illness is like a monster embedded deep inside us, which suddenly comes out and takes over our existence. It’s like an invisible wound which no one can see but the pain of which can only be felt by the sufferer.

Unfortunately, with the recent Covid-19 pandemic gripping the entire globe, mental problems are witnessing a surge across the world. Due to lockdowns and suspension of economic activities, people have been forced to live in their homes for extended periods with little to no scope for outside movement. The fear of contracting COVID-19, combined with financial worries, fear of job loss, savings depletion, and an uncertain future are making people fearful, upset, and anxious. Monotony and boredom as well as unaddressed relationship issues are raising their ugly head, only to make people feel suffocated and emotionally unstable.

This bleak situation is adversely affecting the mental health of people. “I think the two biggest reasons for our mental health to deteriorate during the pandemic is the fear of death which comes along with various uncertainties related to our dreams, ambitions, health, finance, career, and jobs; in short, our future,” says Dr Pulkit Sharma, a clinical psychologist and author from Pondicherry.