Written by Sila Kiss
It has been more than 40 days of people being in lockdown across the globe. People have to work from and live at home. In the crowded cities people are sharing the cost, so 5-6 foreign people are living together. I am not even talking about the poor. The most important thing is to look after each other.
Some people are fully motivated; cooking new recipes, jogging, learning something new; on the other hand, some people are dealing with more stress. Many of my friends are depressed and sad, and they are not alone. Being sad and unmotivated is not a fault. We feel tired.
There are lots of reasons to feel sad: travel restrictions, being away from home, being alone because of the virus, finding no motivation to wake up and so on. We are dealing with a health problem that we do not know everything about yet. It is ok to be anxious. United Kingdom’s National Health Service suggests 10 tips to deal with emotional problems. Staying connected with people, talking about your worries, support and help others, look after your body, focus on the present and look after your sleep. The NHS also draws attention to not sharing everything you see on social media, and not always reading about the virus.
There is also a free quiz on the NHS’ website for you to cope with anxiety. As a solution they are suggesting videos and audio. Mostly about body exercises, muscle relaxations and trying not to focus on bad thoughts.
Deutsche Welle mentions that there are 450 million people suffering from mental health problems nowadays. In the article they suggest online training for support. The world is changing to digital and it is not a bad thing. We need to adapt ourselves and try to continue life.
DW had interviewed with David Daniel Ebert who is a professor of clinical psychology at the Free University of Amsterdam and one of the pioneers of digital psychotherapy. He says social distancing is the wrong term, and we should call it physical distancing because people are not made for social isolation. He also suggests online help to fight with mental health problems.
The World Health Organisation also have solutions for mental health issues in Covid-19. Firstly, they highlight that this virus is not about any one nation and that it’s happening everywhere in the world. People who had this virus have not done anything wrong, they need our support. They say to minimise watching content about the pandemic, and only look to sources you really trust. Otherwise, it will cause you feel anxious or stressed.
About the child carers, WHO suggests to be honest about the virus. If they have concerns, addressing them together can ease their anxiety. And bare in mind, kids will observe adults` behaviours to manage their feelings.
For the elders, keep the connection. They may feel angrier and sadder. WHO suggests to have up to two weeks of medications that they may require, also be prepared and know how to get practical help if needed – i.e. taxis, having food or medical care.
Kübra Baba Oğlu gave herself to art. She started her first job designing coronavirus masks. She says: ‘I am at home for days and I feel myself like a pickle. Like a vinegared, added lots of garlic, salted and lid of a big jar is closed tightly. Not just a cucumber, lots of things, mixed pickles. I am waiting to be ready. There is output coming inside of me. I am gladfully. I want to press production to my hurtful areas.’
These are her mask designs:
