ALWAYS STAYING INDOORS.

 

Staying indoors puts a lot of pressure on the body as well as the mind. After life shifted to working from home, the passive duration increased, and the active hours considerably shrunk. Physical and psychological struggles due to Covid-19 are real, and this could further lead to physical ramifications. According to a study conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, social isolation has been associated with a significantly increased risk of premature mortality from all causes, including a 50 per cent increased risk of developing dementia; a 29 per cent increased risk of incident coronary heart disease; a 25 per cent increased risk for cancer mortality; and a 32 per cent increased risk of stroke. Experts believe that while staying home and practicing social distancing is the need of the hour, a prolonged stay indoors can take a toll on our body. 

The current pandemic has affected mental health in a number of ways. It has created several challenges on people’s personal, professional and financial circumstances. With work from home (WFH) becoming a norm for most of us, including children, who have been robbed of their outdoor activities, people have become more anxious about contracting Covid-19. The fine line between the so-called normal anxiety turning into clinical anxiety disorder is very thin. Such stressful situation can lead to depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, insomnia and hypochondriasis in susceptible individuals. Some people resort to even excessive smoking or alcohol consumption. The commonly encountered behavioural problems are anger outburst, irritability, frustration, inter-personal problems due to spending long hours indoors. Physical health problems such as weight gain, poor control of diabetes or blood pressure, partly due to the lack of exercise and the disruption of outdoor routine.

The most important step is to accept that this pandemic is affecting everyone at the same time. We are all no different. The biggest challenge is in managing personal and professional life balance while at home.

The following are some tips to make peace with your mind and body while working from home:-

·         Try to have a routine and structure your day.

·         Have a designated desk in the room and do not choose random working spots at home.

·         Avoid using the bed as your work desk.

·         Take regular breaks and avoid screen time as much as possible.

·         Spend quality time with your family.

·         Exercise regularly.

·         Stick to your sleep routine.

·         Avoid excessive alcohol consumption or smoking.

·         Remain socially connected and ventilate your pent-up emotions.

·         Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial during these testing circumstances.

·         Try and develop a new hobby to avoid boredom.

·         Relaxation techniques, meditation and yoga can also help to manage anxiety and day-to-day stress.

As usual, we remind you to take your Memo Plus Gold daily. It will help to keep you alert and mentally sharp. For more information or to order for Memo Plus Gold, please visit : https://oze.my.