TAKING CARE V/S CREATING FEAR

AN IMPORTANT APPEAL!

There is a huge difference between "taking care" and "creating fear". Today when the outspread of COVID-19 and the unforeseen circumstances following it have affected all of us in one way or another, we are advised to take precautions, stay at home and be emotionally, mentally and physically strong in order to deal with this pandemic.

However, at the same time we are spreading fear, anxiety and panic by forwarding messages, videos  and audios about the statistical count of the number of deaths, people affected and about how the situation is getting worse day by day.

We are thinking about the virus and talking about it throughout the day. When the input to our mind is all negative, fearful and creates panic we become mentally weak, this affects us emotionally and together it impacts our body, reducing our immunity and making us more vulnerable.

Hearing and reading about it every 15-30 minutes is not at all needed. Information overload is not what we need. We need to consume essential information. Watch the news; listen to the radio just to understand the seriousness of the situation.

While the entire nation is on lockdown and we are quarantined what we need to do is to C.H.I.L.L, which means:

C: Communicate - Hold meaningful conversations with your family, relatives and friends. Talk about your thoughts, feelings, or anything else that takes your mind off the current scenario. Maybe use this time to revive some old connections. Seriously, it feels great, try it!

H: Help - Instead of sitting curled up in your beds and infinitely scrolling through social media applications make some contributions. You could help with the household chores or make donations at various organizations fighting this disease or anything that makes you feel a sense of satisfaction.

I: Indulge - One thing that we all fail to find amidst our busy lifestyles is time. But luckily, right now, time's all we got! Use this to indulge in yourself... stop, relax. Introspect. Think about where you are in your life right now and where do you want to be. Make future plans, meditate, read your favorite book, listen to music. Do everything that helps you connect with your inner self.

L: Learn - Another thing you can do is to learn something new. Maybe there's an online course you always wanted to take up but didn't have time for, or maybe you wanted to work on your painting skills...do it!! There's an abundance of new things to learn... find the one for you and get on with it.

L: Laugh - Lastly but most importantly don't forget to laugh. Hum our has been proven to be the best stress reliever, so watch funny movies, crack jokes or watch stand-up comedians tickle your funny bone.

These are a few tips that will act as immunity boosters for your psychological health and will make this difficult time a little easy.

All we need now is hope, faith, and positivity. We need to keep ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Fear is a greater epidemic than the virus now. The virus will be finished soon, but once fear takes charge, there will be huge numbers of depression victims who might take a really very long time to heal and for some, it might become a part of their lives.

Pray for each other’s good health. Stay strong because this too shall pass.

SHRISTY SHREYA