The Novel Coronavirus has brought with it a strange and new set of living experiences, changing life as we know it. Worrying about health and the future as well as reflecting on the meaning of it all are only natural responses to the current situation. Mental health in a lockdown has been a concern for many of us – including the mental health of our loved ones as well our own. Through the course of this article, we will be looking into some mental health struggles that many of us are experiencing while living in times of Covid-19 as well as ways to cope.
Health-related anxiety
According to a study published by a medical journal The Lancet, living through such times entails several stressors. One of them is the fear of contracting the infection. As per the study, when one experiences any physical symptoms related to the virus such as coughing or sneezing, they worry that they too may be infected. The threat and uncertainty because of the virus also can manifest as anxiety as per the Psychiatric Times. One might find themselves excessively concerned about their health as well as that of their loved ones during the lockdown. This is something a lot of us experience, it might be as a passing thought or in the form of overwhelming anxiety.
Relationship between exercise, physical movement and mental health
The lack of engagement with regular physical activity such as work-related travel and movement can cause fatigue and discomfort. The interrelationship between exercise and mental health has been long established. Activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, gymming and yoga help increase one’s sense of well-being and self-efficacy. Some of them also provide the avenue to socialize with other people. Reduction in physical movement can potentially lead to anxiety and negative mood and hence impact one’s mental health during the lockdown.
Coronavirus and existential dread
This is a situation that is making us think about how our life was before the lockdown, the impact it might have on us or our loved ones and what the future holds for us. Uncertainty of what our future looks like can make us feel existential dread. Existential psychiatrist Irvin Yalom posits that there are four givens to life – death, freedom, isolation and meaninglessness. With the current situation bringing us closer to confront death, we cannot help but reflect on life and how meaningful it has been. It is common to think about what changes we want to bring to our life post this phase to make it more fulfilling and satisfactory. Being stuck in a situation where one is living alone through the lockdown or with people with whom one cannot deeply connect adds to one’s sense of isolation and disconnect. Breaks in routine and lack of interaction with friends and coworkers also adds to the severity of these experiences.
Domestic abuse, marginalization and mental health
As per a report published by The New York Times, movement restrictions and other conditions enforced under the pandemic have led to a surge in domestic abuse. Domestic abuse entails physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse. It threatens the safety of women and children and creates helplessness. For individuals experiencing marginalization, such as those from the queer community who have not yet come out to their families, toxic environments pose a grave threat to their mental health, especially during the lockdown.
Guidelines to Cope with Mental Health
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