La Nouvelle Tribune
Keep stress from the Covid pandemic and other events under control by sticking with these daily practices
ByÂ
You need a mental-fitness regimen.
For months, therapists have reported a significant increase in clients who are anxious, worried or depressed over current eventsâthe Covid-19 pandemic, economic woes, civil unrest. And while they can teach coping skills, such as emotion regulation, to help deal with the stress, they say itâs also important for people to proactively take steps to be mentally healthy, just as they would if they wanted to be physically fit. âIf you wait until a major stressor hits to try and bolster your mental health, itâs like trying to inflate your life raft while you are already drowning at sea,â says Wendy Troxel, a clinical psychologist and senior behavioral and social scientist at Rand Corp.
By now, we’re all very well-versed on the impact Covid-19 has had on society. The virus has claimed the lives of over two million people across the world – and made many more sick. It has disrupted life as we once knew it. Economies crumbled under the pressure of much-needed lockdowns. This saw countless job losses and business failures. As we stay indoors to prevent the spread, there is one aspect of ourselves that many are ignoring. Now more than ever, we need to take time to evaluate our mental health. Over the past year, many individuals have had to deal with traumas of varying degrees. The loss of a loved one, losing a job – or even feeling isolated and alone – has affected the mental stability of a myriad people. The pandemic has made it more difficult for people to seek out professional help. The World Health Organisation reports that ‘The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for men