COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have brought about an insight of fear and stress around the globe. This circumstance has led to both short term and long term psychosocial and mental health associations for children and adolescents.
The quality and magnitude of impact on
children are mostly dead set on many vulnerable factors like developmental age,
educational status, pre-existing mental health conditions, being economically
underprivileged or being quarantined due to infection or fear of being
infected.
Lockdown has impacted different people
differently. Some take it as a time to take a break and to relook at priorities
while others, take it as a vastly stressful time that is leading to anxiety and
various degrees of depression.
Impact
on youth:
Many of us, who have stood still on this
immediate shift to online studies during the emergence of COVID-19 might feel
like we’re hanging by a thread during this pandemic. For those who had immense
hope to return to university as I do, we might be dreading another semester of
online classes as the pandemic continues across the world.
I’m certain we’ve all got divided opinions
when it comes to online lore. While some of us celebrate at the thought of not
having to wake up ahead and face the commute to morning classes, some of us
feel stressed out about the massive workload that’s going to befall us as a
result.
For those like myself, online learning is one
of the least appealing ways of learning, and it was a difficult adjustment for
me.
Pandemic has also influenced kids as young as
22 month-old, who suffered from behavioural depression, while a 12-year-old
exhibits anxiety.
The number of kids with lockdown related
illnesses has increased in city hospitals and doctors say that they see at
least two such cases a week. They believe these numbers are the tip of the
iceberg as many parents may not come forward.
It is such a difficult time for both children
and teenagers. The fact that they aren't in a position to comprehend the
feelings they're experiencing as they get to feel varied emotions poses a
threat here.
Loneliness in lockdown is quite common for
kids, who are separated from their friends. But, I can say that all children
will not be emotionally rattled by the pandemic equally–or even at all; As I
stated earlier, COVID-19 will affect them to different degrees and in different
ways.
Even as several countries gradually begin
lifting their lockdowns, many schools remain closed, affecting almost 1.3
billion children and students worldwide as strict social restrictions are
likely to remain in place across the globe.
This leaves children and youth who are
already facing risks such as, those living in challenging home situations or
children who are lacking social support or whose families are already standing
in poverty, especially vulnerable.
Research shows that the feelings of
helplessness, isolation and fear of being socially excluded, stigmatised or
separated from loved ones are common in any pandemic.
Extended stress, boredom and social
isolation, as well as lack of outdoor play, can lead to a larger number of
mental health conditions in children, such as anxiety and even depression.
After all, no one knows for sure, I included,
when things around us would get back to normal. Even heading back to school
after learning at home for so long might cause a great deal of stress for some
too.
Effects
of being stressed:
While stress has several physical indicators,
it can also indicate in more internal ways. The psychological effects of stress
might include:
1. Depression
2. Anxiety
3. Problems with cognitive functioning
4. Changes in behaviour, such as being
grumpy, sullen, hostile, frustrated, or withdrawn
The mental effects of stress can be more
common but are tougher to identify. It's essential to pay heed to friends and
family if they say, you haven't been acting like yourself. So you can be more
aware of your stressors and find ways to overcome them.
How
to identify them:
Here's how you identify stress, address your
fears and can try to manage your stress. Together, you can make your life,
little more manageable for all of you during these challenging times.
For instance, you might become more clingy,
anxious, angry, withdraw, or agitated. Here are some other possible signs that
you are stressed out:
1. Displaying excessive crying or irritation
2. Acting out or being irritable
3. Regressing outgrown behaviours
4. Experiencing unexplained headaches,
stomachaches or other types of pain
5. Engaging in unhealthy eating habits
6. Having poor sleeping habits
7. Experiencing excessive worry, fears, or
sadness
8. Avoiding school or performing poorly
9. Having a difficult time concentrating,
focusing, or paying attention
I hope you can acknowledge these signs at the
earliest to avoid other mental problems to prevail throughout your life.
Fear, uncertainty and stress can have a
significant impact on your health. Research shows that when teens are exposed
to chronic stress, they are at risk for several negative health outcomes in
adulthood, such as depression, cancer, asthma, and cardiovascular disease.
Tips
to beat stress:
1. To stay on a healthy diet:
A healthy diet is vital to get through a
stressful season. Eating healthy foods can help you to stabilize your blood
pressure and blood sugar levels, which cause many of the physical symptoms of
stress.
Eating right, like whole, fibrous food, is
vital for academic performance. This is brutally true during stressful times
when it can be even more difficult to choose healthy foods because poor eating
habits and stress often go hand-in-hand.
2. Spending quality time with loved ones:
One of the essential components of school is
social interaction. Many studies conclude that when we're surrounded by friends
we have a more optimistic view of life, which may help us more easily overcome
challenges.
Talk to your family as well. Share your
worries and anxieties about your semester and exams with them. Talking openly
about the issues that stress you out would do some good after spending a long
day before the laptop screen.
But remember not to leave loneliness to
consume you during your semester of online studies, because it’ll do more
damage than good.
3. Exercise more:
Exercise is a proven and recommended stress
reliever because it reduces the stress hormone, cortisol, and releases good
chemicals like endorphins. This can also help us to concentrate more as
research indicates a clear correlation between physical activity and academic
performance.
4. Prioritize your mental health:
Just as your physical health is vital so is
your mental health. During the pandemic, a lot of us have been overwhelmed with
the state of things, and this has provided a way to negative thoughts.
When you identify yourself grieving or
overthinking about something, take a step back and analyse the situation. If
you think you can’t handle the anxiety or the stress, then do talk with your
family or trusted friends.
5. A walk to the park:
Unquestionably, one of the most challenging
parts of the pandemic is being stuck at home, and that loneliness may lead to
poor habits like an improper diet or overeating. But spending some time outside
can make a huge difference as research indicates a bridge between the outdoors
and academic performance. The fresh air can always lighten your stressful mood.
6. Reach out to professors:
Although professors seem to constantly
provide video lectures, tutorials, assignments and other activities, they’re
very well aware of our situation. They’re also trying to beat the COVID
scenario as well.
Hence, they might help by having a
conversation with you and will be happy if you take the first step to reach out
to them. So, don’t hesitate to seek assistance when you need it.
Personally, for me, I was provided with
numerous resources from my university to help me overcome some issues – both
personal and academic-related.
Whether you like it or not, COVID -19 is not
going anywhere, at least not for a while. The only option is to adapt, prepare
and adjust to the ‘new normal’ to get through your studies. Remember to remind
yourself that help is always available whenever and wherever you need it.
As students, you must grapple with the
constant change of nature for this year. You must work on building habits that
will help you maintain your mental health, but it is even more important that
you remain compassionate towards yourself and others in that process.
Taking care of yourself can also help you to
take care of others. During the difficult times of social distancing, it is
equally important to stay connected with your friends and family. Helping
others cope with their stress through phone calls or video chats can help you
and your loved ones feel less lonely or isolated.
Written By – Bennet Vini. R
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