Avoid Stress amidst COVID chaos

COVID-19 and Stress

By now it is highly likely that someone very close to you would have been hit by COVID-19. One thing which we cannot deny is that most of us are stressed. Medicines, tests, doctors, black marketing, blame game, paranoia related to vaccination, vaccine slots, and what not? We are in this together and we have seen everything in the last 16-17 months. Stress is something that can be lethal if ignored.

Does stress enhance COVID symptoms?

We know that you all might be having all such questions. What to do, what not to do, and most importantly, how to avoid stress when it’s almost impossible?

Stress management suggestions from the expert:

We have made it simple for you. We at Kailasha Online Learning collected some genuine questions which were brainstormed by our team members. We asked these questions to Neuro-Psychiatrist Dr. Hemant Mittal (MBBS, DPM, MD), and the following are the answers provided by him:

Q1. My husband is a policeman. Where everyone is being asked to stay home, he has to attend to his duties. How do I avoid the stress and worries?

A: Hello, there are 4 essentials I suggest to all covid warriors –
a. Being a covid warrior, one has to be out there, one cannot run away from his duty. One should feel pride in what one is doing. A sense of pride increases immunity.
b. One has to try and keep as much as covid appropriate behaviour (handwashing for 20sec, 2 feet from any person and double mask all the time)
c. Diet should be modulated. There have to be higher proteins, more of vitamin B, C & D.
d. Boost his morale, which will boost his immunity.
What can you do?
1. Deep breath and meditate daily. One of the things I suggest a lot for covid warrior families, is using the law of attraction, sound meditation or self-hypnosis. This helps reduce anxiety.
2. Don’t indulge in unnecessary nagging, anger, or anxiety. This makes you very scared and makes your partner sad.
3. Take care of his diet. And communicate with him regularly. Make sure all forms of alcohol, high-fat food or smoking is stopped.
4. Make sure all methods of process of sanitization are properly followed when he comes back home.
5. If he gets to become positive, keep the number of doctors ready who can be consulted immediately. Proper isolation is essential.

Q2. My younger one is extremely naughty and doesn’t listen to me. He keeps playing outside. If I become strict, he cries. How do I convince him?

A: This wave of Corona has been affecting younger people and children. Playing outside isn’t very safe for most children. They can be exposed to a friend or an adult who is positive.
It’s very tough for emotional parents, but you need to
1. Be strict. As the life of your child is at stake by playing outside.
2. If he is playing alone outside, or keeping a proper distance, it’s still acceptable.
3. You might need to devise ways for him to use his energy at home.
4. Your elder one has to help, keep him at home.

Q3. Parents are covid positive and don’t listen to us, they don’t take steam when asked. They say it’s not a big thing to worry about. When we resist, we are scolded. How do we convince them, and how to keep calm in such a situation?

A: Most elderly deaths are happening, because the elders don’t follow the right medical advice.
Also, most of the adults in India, either have diabetes, hypertension or obesity, which makes them an even easier target of the virus.
If parents are positive, make sure to isolate them.
They might not take steam or kadha. But make sure they take all the medicines on time.
Kindly consult a doctor. WhatsApp knowledge has killed more patients than the virus.
99% of the WhatsApp knowledge spread around is useless.
As a doctor, I don’t mind people using alternative cures as protection (but) not once they are positive.

<<<Also Read: What is Stress, Anxiety and Depression>>>

Q4. Heard of some 14 deaths in the last 7 days. All were known people. I just can’t hold myself. How do I engage myself in some activities to avoid this stress and anxiety?

A: Covid induced post-traumatic stress and depression is very much on the rise. These are medical illnesses that happen due to change in the chemical system of the brain.
There are 3 ways to tackle this –
a. If it’s a mild case, where the thoughts only come once or twice in a few hours, (without any crying) then do some meditation. Sound-meditation, deep breathing, and even anulom-vilom is very good.
b. If the thoughts are coming every hour, but you can still control them, then make use of a life coach or get a counselling session with a local psychologist.
c. If the thoughts are coming every hour, there is an emotional upswing, crying, and intense fear/sadness, then consult a good psychiatrist immediately. A small dose of medicines is essential to stop the brain chemical system from deranging its functioning.
Medicines are small-term and (but) essential.

Remember, scientists have found that the people with higher motivation to live and motivation to win over the virus, recovered faster and better than those who didn’t have.

Q5. Wife is pregnant and can’t get vaccinated right now. I’m trying to follow all protocols, but being a govt servant I have to continue going to office. Leaves are also limited. What precautions do I need to take and how much should I be worried?

A: Congratulations on expecting a new member into your family. This is the time to be extremely careful.
1. Being a government employee, you must have been vaccinated by now. That’s very essential that you take both doses.
2. Isolate wife as much as possible.
3. Keep your own immunity high by taking vitamins and a proper diet.
4. If you come in contact with a covid-positive colleague, isolate yourself for a minimum of 5 days.
5. I have seen many cases of covid-positive pregnant ladies recover, but make sure if the need arises, get tested as soon as possible, and follow all medical advice.

Q6. Covid positive and have asthma/diabetes also. I am the only earning member of my family. What are my chances of recovery and how to avoid stress in such a scenario?

A: Hello, your chances of recovery are good. The virus isn’t killing everyone with diabetes or asthma.
First of all, need to know the extent of viral infection, the day of infection, medicines you are taking.
But you need to make sure:
1. You follow all medical advice.
2. When needed, immediately get admitted into the hospital, as medical supervision might be required.

Q7. In general, what are the steps to stay happy when things are not very good around?

1. Follow all the corona guidelines
2. Don’t believe in the nonsense that’s spread through WhatsApp
3. Don’t watch news channels for more than 30 minutes a day
4. Spend at least 2hrs, (1hr morning and 1hr evening) time working on your inner self and physical self.
5. Keep any comorbidities like diabetes, asthma, thyroid, hypertension under control.
6. Make sure you get good sleep
7. Eat healthily
8. Don’t take medicines or vitamins till not required so. Covid isn’t causing as much damage as over medication and over-dosing.
9. Consult a doctor and follow his advice for any medical issue. Don’t follow what your chemist or neighbour says.
10. Practice meditation daily
11. If you believe in God, then make sure you develop a deeper spiritual connection with him.
12. Follow a good life coach or guru
13. Remember death rate in corona is 1-2% but the post-corona problems are very high. So don’t take corona lightly.
14. Create good memories with your family members. And be thankful for every moment of life.
15. If stress is high, don’t shy from consulting a psychiatrist.