These 8 small steps will help you ward off depression during these trying times

Is the covid-19 lockdown making you feel low? You are not alone. Most of us are feeling the same way. The restricted movement is leading to loneliness, anxiety and making us prone to depression. 

In fact, according to researchers at the Boston School of Public Health in the USA, large-scale disasters-then be it pandemics like covid-19 or environmental events like hurricanes and tsunami-are almost always accompanied by a rise in the cases of depression. 

To make our situation worse, the stress of covid-19 and the lockdown is accompanied by long hours of working from home and a downward-spiralling economy. The result? Extreme duress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. 

While we can’t fix the economy or eradicate covid-19 overnight, we can take some positive measures to take care of our mental health. So, we got Chandigarh-based psychiatrist Dr Sunil Gupta to share a few tips to help you cope with these tough times and ward off depression. 

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1. Maintain a routine
The problem with this lockdown is that we are unable to stick to a proper timetable. So, you need to wake up at the same time, sleep, and eat at the same time regularly so that you don’t mess with your body clock.

2. Get your heartbeat racing at least once a day
Lockdown doesn’t mean you stop working out. A little indoor exercise such as stretching and yoga will not only keep you in good shape, but also keep you in a good mood every day. It will definitely increase the level of feel-good hormones in your body.

3. Talk it out
Constant communication is important. Talk about your fears, about anything and everything that bothers you to a trusted person. You must talk about the anxiety-provoking issues.

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4. Have a balanced diet
Don’t overeat or undereat. We generally snack too much when we are at home with not enough to do. A balanced diet can do wonders to your body and mind. Don’t forget to include seasonal fruits in your diet.

5. Avoid stimulants like coffee and smoking
You don’t need an aphrodisiac to feel good. Most stimulants, including tea, coffee and cigarettes, dehydrate you and eventually leave you in a bad mood.

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6. Maintain a journal
Maintaining a journal will allow you to express yourself independently and maintain your privacy at the same time.

7. Get some ‘me time’
Working from home can be even more tedious in these uncertain times with no maids around to help you with your chores. More so, if you are married and have children, who too are stuck at home due to the lockdown. Hence, you need time to unwind. Find some time for yourself and do things you like.

8. Don’t sit in one place for too long
Take a 15-minute break every two hours. Keep your legs moving to avoid lifestyle diseases.