Socio-economic and Political Implications on Behavior during Pandemic

Date: _31-03-20_ 

 *Socio-economic and Political Implications on Behaviour during the Pandemic* 

- _Mindzone_ 

The past few weeks, humanity as a whole is facing one of its biggest crises. Countless number of lives lost, many more stranded with no direction. Governments around the world are struggling to bring order when it looks as if the very foundation of their country has been ripped apart. It is during times like these that we need to identify and focus on the bigger picture, where the macro factors play a huge role in determining the lives and well-being of the people. It is not just an individual, but a person of community that gets affected by social, economic and political forces.

When we scrutinise our health care systems and structure, we usually tend to focus on the individual factors and the situational context that surrounds them. However, socio-economic forces play a role in determining the awareness, availability, accessibility, affordability and accountability of resources and services. Which can determine a person’s livelihood and position in society, making up a part of an individual’s identity and meaning. People from different sections of the society face against this crisis with their own experiences determined by socio-economic factors. They are affected in varying levels of severity and impact, which needs to be understood to provide a comprehensive healthcare.

One of the major changes brought forth by the current pandemic is that it enlarged the divide between different sections of the society, which has increased the levels of inequality, discrimination, disempowerment and power & geographic displacement. Leading to the reinforcement of caste, race, poverty, violence, corruption etc, facets of the society that affects the health of the people and the global society that they live in. This pandemic has made countless number of people unemployed, homeless and left them starving. Their basic needs such as food and shelter are being handed out in numbers, making them fight for survival.

The question that remains is this. How are these disadvantageous changes brought forth by the pandemic, can affect the behaviour and the mental health of the people. Before answering that question, we need to comprehend the importance given to mental health at a larger context. In the recent budget allotment, it was observed that the health sector received only around 1.4% of the entire budget and mental health is even less of a priority. To put things into perspective, more than the probability of acquiring the virus, people are affected due to the social structure getting disturbed which includes the differential & preferential treatment, Non-transparent transaction of funds, and the infringement of the rights & freedom of the people. It instils a belief that they are not supported or provided with necessary help.

The impact that such factors have on mental health is that it leads to chronic maintenance of high levels of fear and panic. People are separated from their groups and communities leading to feelings of detachment and insecurity. With work and education being taken away, people tend to lose their sense of identity, self-esteem and their social image gets distorted. The perceived discrimination can lead to feelings of paranoia, lack of trust and loss of control. All of this further reinforces feelings of hopelessness and can manifest as physiological problems and other mental disorders.

Mental health professionals and psychologist need the understanding of mental health in this context to develop a better and comprehensive model of identification, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the people, especially during the time of crisis. This model needs to work in tandem with the health care system which currently faces challenges like lack of awareness and training facilities, unaffordability among students and privatising health sector as an industry. Particular to the pandemic, people should combat the crisis together with faith and a sense of community.

#mentalhealth

#covid19

#mindzone

#counselling

#psychiatrist

#psychologist

 Prepared by

 Ms. Rajini

Undergraduate student of Psychology

CHRIST UNIVERSITY

 BANGALORE

Ms. Abirami

M.sc (Psychology)

PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY

Healthy Lifestyle during Pandemic

Date: 30-03-2020

*Inculcating healthy Lifestyle during the Pandemic*

- _Mindzone_

We have all heard about the importance of a healthy lifestyle at least a couple of times in our life. And as much as we know about them, it is a different matter altogether to develop a healthy lifestyle and follow them. 

A healthy lifestyle is a multifactorial system that incorporates our attitudes, learning and belief systems which consequently determine and/or influence our behaviour. It is largely determined by psycho-social and environmental factors.  According to a study conducted by ICMR, it was found that in 2016, 61.8% of deaths that occurred were due to the effects of lifestyle diseases and disorders, almost double the percentage compared to the 1990 statistics which was just 37.09%. In essence, we are more likely to suffer from a lifestyle disease  such as hypertension, immune related disorder, cardiovascular disease so on and so forth. when we have a healthy lifestyle, it improves the functioning of our immune system and overall development.

how can we enhance our lifestyle such that we are healthy overall? Especially in the constraints of today's situation. 

Various mental health professionals came together to discuss on the same, hosted by mindzone. Some of the tips and techniques are given below.

1. This is a five-pronged golden rule. Never compromise on Food, Sleep, Rest, Recreation, and Relaxation. We all have work to do and goals to accomplish, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of your well-being.

2. human body is made up of 5 elements, just like the earth. These 5 elements when alligned correctly in a straight line will solve most of the issue.

72% of the body comprises of water, hence stay hydrated, drink water in regular intervals of time. When you feel like binge eating due to boredom, loneliness, anxiety or any other reason. Prefer having a glass of water to mindfully controlling your hunger patterns. 

12% of the body comprises of earth (food) so eat mindfully, eat in a balanced manner, avoid junk amd binge eating. 

6% is air, due to the constraints, there is no possibility of seeking fresh air, and going for a morning run but it is always important to refresh your system by doing simple breathing exercises. 

4% fire, your energy or your motivation, stay mindfully about what and how you think, feel and desire. Stay optimistic, hopefully and spread the fire of joy. Read more : https://pin.it/1CjbILO

https://www.yogajournal.com/teach/purifying-the-five-elements-of-our-being

http://dallasyogafest.org/2017/07/11/the-5-elements-of-nature-and-their-relationship-with-the-human-body/

3. A simple give away would be, every single cell has energy and it has a great impact on the human system. So what ever you do, do it with joy and positivity. There is no doubt about why mother's / grandmother's food taste so much better and tastier, for the simple reason of the amount of love, joy and positivity they put in while cooking. 

4. In the era of technology, use technology to alter to bring behavioural changes. There are many online apps and systems that can help you in your journey of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Employ them to plan your lifestyle effectively.some of the useful apps are: 

To stay hydrated : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.remind.drink.water.hourly

To reaching attainable workout goal, to feel motivated and competitive with your friends/family, monitoring your sleep wake cycle for biofeedback purpose and regulating yourself.  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.fitness

To limit yourself from screen time : 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ezlapp.screen.time

To do simple meditation at home: 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getsomeheadspace.android

To set doable reminders, goals and attaining them : 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.anydo

Inculcating reading as a habbit for recreation : 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.anybooks

5. Much of our unhealthy behaviours can be attributed to inadequate and faulty knowledge that shapes our attitudes and behaviours. Self-observation can aid you in identifying maladaptive behaviours. Unlearn such behaviours, and be well-informed. Right knowledge can serve a way to develop a healthy lifestyle

6.During this period of lock down, when we can’t follow our previous schedule, it is better to form a new one. Humans need structure and goals to function and move forward. Try to maintain a regular pattern of sleeping, eating and resting.

7. Facing the issue of lack of motivation is the biggest obstacle when we want to make changes to our lifestyle. Almost everybody faces them. At times like this, create your own external motivators and reward system. So that even if you feel like procrastinating, they might help you along.

8. Have a holistic and positive approach to making healthy lifestyle choices. At the end of the day, it is your body and mind. Learn to love yourself. Well-being goes beyond preventing sickness and leads to a fulfilling sense of happiness and overall health.

9. In stressful situations like these, we might tend to self-medicate and partake in practices that might affect our health in the process of protecting ourselves. Try to avoid such practices. Remember, take medical advice. Help is available. All you need to do is reach out..

10. This is the time, you and I together can make a change within our own system, Inculcating healthy habits, balance is the key, do everything mindfully. avoid over use / abuse of food, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, sex, medication, sanitizer, screentime, sleep cycle, negative mental energy, unwanted negative thoughts and "work from home".

Stay hopeful and optimistic. Your attitudes, belief system and your motivations play a vital role in your healthy functioning. 

 

#mindzone

#lifestyle_disorder

#healthy_lifestyle 

#pandemic 

#covid19

#mental_health

Prepared by

Ms. Rajini

Undergraduate student of Psychology

CHRIST UNIVERSITY BANGALORE

Ms. Dimple Melwani

M.sc (Psychology)

CMR UNIVERSITY

BANGALORE

Ms. Abirami

M.sc (Psychology)

PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY