Locked out of my mind!

1. Don’t read too much news. It’s easy to get caught up while trying to follow everything which is happening around. Knowledge gives you a sense of control and power over the situation, but this can be counterproductive too. Reading too much news might lead you to spiral out of your mind and create a catastrophic scenario in your head. Plus there is tons of fake news floating around so you might worry yourself over nothing. One way to deal with this is to spend only predetermined and limited time going through the news and make sure you read it from authentic sources only. 

2. Keep in Touch: lockdown means physical distancing, but it should not lead to social distancing. Communication is important to keep you sane otherwise you will feel isolated and cut off. Talk to your friends over the phone, video call, increase communication with your family members, try talking to your neighbors, remember we are in this together. 

3. Keep a schedule: As tempting as staying up all night and waking up around noon is, it’s bad for your mental health and sleep cycle. If you want to sleep longer than usual, it’s okay but keep a schedule of time you sleep, wake up and eat. It will keep you organized and give a sense of control. 

4. Unplug from social media from time to time: with loads of free time on hand, we tend to spend more than the appropriate amount of time online. It’s necessary to keep a track, and not get lost on your Instagram feed. Play a board game, read a book, or take a walk on your terrace when you feel you are glued to your phone to divert the attention. 

5. Exercise: with the lockdown, all forms of outdoor exercise are restricted. But you can still do some form of indoor exercise or yoga. Remember the nexus between physical and mental health. Exercise releases endorphins and reduces stress. If your physical health is weakened chances are your mental health will deteriorate too. Try and get some sun and fresh air even if it is just by standing your terrace. 

6. Ground yourself when it all hits you hard: The use of grounding techniques to create space from distressing feelings is helpful in nearly any situation, but they’re especially helpful in case of anxiety. Grounding tries to bring your focus to the present moment by focusing on your 5 senses. Holding something near you, breathing deeply, recognizing a scent, or listening to sounds outside, they all divert from your mind from the mad rush going on.

Lastly, if all of it feels too much and you find it hard to get through, don’t worry there is help out there. Bravery is not about suffering through pain but seeking help when required. Mental health hotlines and therapists providing online service are just one step away.