Topic: Upkeep for your mental health during Lockdown
Lockdown can be stressful for many and can hamper mental well-being of few others, particularly affecting the youth.
We understand that this nationwide lockdown, is a period of uncertainty and carries a fear of future, anxiety due to illness, daily challenges to be dealt with, among other things.
Here are few tips to remain positive, to keep up your mental well being and preparedness for future success.
To remain positive follow *'PERMA'*, a concept given by renowned positive psychologist Martin Seligmen. ie
*P: Positive Emotions;* It is of utmost importance to generate positive emotions, which one can do by practising positive affirmations for self and others. Find the goodness in every work you strive to take up. Spare your valuable time to think, talk and discuss about the positives in each other, share your laughter, see old albums and reminiscence your memories, praise each other for even small efforts put in the tasks.
*E: Engagement*: Going with the flow, what comes naturally to self. Engage wholeheartedly to the tasks taken up.Find joyful and novel ways to complete it.Be fully engrossed in whatever you strive for, be it household chores,work from home,or enjoying indoor playing.
*R: Relationships*; Another important feature to keep up good mental health and positivity is to have relationships based on mutual love, respect, trust and non violence. Nurturing relationships can be particularly fruitful during lockdown. Always spare time for positive conversations with your partner, parents, children, friends, including listening and understandings to their feelings, their plans, help to overcome difficulties, co- jointly indulge into daily activities, share laughter stories and crack jokes, play each other's favourite songs etc.
*M: Meaning*: Have a purpose and strive to have a meaningful life.Prepare a monthly to do list to carry out daily. Prepare a thankful journal and write in daily. Along with family members set up and follow a discipline regime, and develop habit of reading books [or anything else that you are interested in doing, that's helps you find meaning and passion in life].
*A: Accomplishment*; Make a plan for future success and do some online courses to upgrade your skills, set achievable targets and strive to accomplish ,when working from home. Challenge yourself to look out ways to exchange your work performance. Take 10-15 minutes break to do breathing exercises , relax yourself tore-boast yourself for future work.
*Follow some Do's and Don't's:*
*Do's:*
1: Make a Gratitude journal and fill it on a daily basis.
2: Keep calm, listen carefully and practice patience
3:Compliment more and be more accepting, be flexible in your attitude, thoughts and actions.
4: Spare time to re-think, re-shape & re-value yourself in your 'Me time'.
5:Relax and enhance your concentration through indulging into Mindful meditation, Yoga and Deep breathing exercises.
*Don't's*
1: Avoid being judgemental, else it will increase conflicts.
2: Avoid feeling helpless and thinking that the situation is out of control.
3: Avoid being lazy and sleepy all the time, else this may lead to mood swings.
4: Avoid having high expectations and demanding from family members.
5: Avoid using excessive use of gadgets and following traumatic news throughout the day.
Bhavna Mukund
Clinical Psychologist
