FAZLI RUMI
COLOMBO : When Lockdowns and Social Distancing was first imposed in Colombo, there were a few changes to my physical and mental health that I expected will happen from being at home. Firstly I knew my stress level, anxiety and tension would go high. Uncertainty of future will certainly trigger some illness. Secondly I will get directly disconnected with my support base which I see often remaining at home is so exhausting that it makes me hard to get up in the morning and progress through the day. I am sleeping more than 12 hours a day, and find it challenging to leave the bed. The lack of activity and exposure to daylight is making me feel tired. I feel some of my friends and family feel the same way.
Healthcare experts are giving us tips how to combat it. After talking to a few of them and reading about it, here is something I can share with you.
The lack of outside time, is really having a negative effect on our body. Remaining indoors for a long period with less exposure to sunlight can impact our sleep/wake cycle. This disrupts our body clock and impact our ability to focus, make us feel out of sorts. Dr. Dinesh Kartha of Aura Health Clinic, Dubai, tells me, that lack of socializing leads to less energy. Some people get their energy from talking and interacting in person with others.
Exposure to an overload of bad news can also cause our brains to shut down, leading to exhaustion. Constant anxious thoughts about what might go wrong can tire us out and lead to shutting down.
What are the health recommendations? Experts and clinical psychologists all tell me, to limit the time on social media news watching. This way you keep yourself up to date without getting overly anxious. Give yourself a sense of routine. Do what you did before the pandemic started, this time by remaining indoors. Stick to your typical sleeping habit and do your exercises home based. Dr. Kasun,a friend of mine and a clinical psychologist says to start a new hobby or maintain existing ones. Engage in cooking or gardening at home. Keep your brain stimulated to stop you from feeling fatigued during the day.
There are so many online classes you can try out. Learn how to play a new musical instrument. Get a 3D puzzle or get back to reading. Try meditating, and engage online with your relatives and friends. Additionally start your business routine online and work from home. Don’t work from bed or sit all day. Create a specific place to work. I have seen some people working from kitchen, one CNN reporter. All of this will help with your energy. Take a small walk outside your home. Do light exercises indoors or take an online yoga or zumba class. Reach out to your friends and contacts through zoom, facebook online, or whatsapp etc or a phone call. This can alleviate feelings of anxiety.
We need to keep social distancing going that does not mean end to friendships and networking. Than in previous pandemics like in 1918 during Spanish flu,this time we are lucky that technology allows us to stay connected. Engage with positive people and definitely you will feel good. Feeling anxious, depressed, lethargic, unmotivated are all pretty common emotions right now. But you are not alone, and you don’t have to exist in this way forever. (The writer is a lecturer at FRC for Technology and Business.}
