Work from home – what a relief…!! this was the first reaction from many of us in its initial days. No travel Hassle, leisure work time, enjoying time with family, and sparing time for hobby made its place; but for how long could we really enjoy it?
Times changed, situations changed and so did the work mode and human’s way of handling it. It was not very long, when we realized that this work method is taking a toll not only on our physical health but mental health too; YES…, mental health is equally important.
WHO defines “Health as a state of complete Physical, Mental and Social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Ayurveda explains Swasthya (health) as-
“Samadosha samagnishch samadhatu mala kriyaha
Prasanna atmendriya manaha swasthya ityabhidheeyate”
Health according to Ayurveda, not only emphasizes on equilibrium of Dosha, Dhatu, Mala and Agni, at physical level but also extends its concept to well-being of mind and soul (inner self/ emotional factor).
As time passed, the flaws with ‘work from home’ started popping its head out –
- No time constraints, led to working throughout the day and till late nights.
- Handling of work pressure worsened due to lack of personalized healthy work communication with colleagues and friends, of course the virtual component came as a barrier.
- Workplace casual discussions, which bore to exchange of knowledge and easing of work pressure, hampered.
- Simple solutions demanded a formal call / appointment.
- No social touch, further added to the problem, thus overburdening the workload.
- Enjoying the work, managing the tasks at ease were taken over by Irritation, agitation, anxiety and frustration.
- Some of them were laid off from the job, whereas many of them had to face a salary cut, on the other hand family concerns and liabilities demanded attention, thus depression took control of many minds.
- Excess screen time, Incorrect posture, lack of sleep took a toll on physical health. Backache, headache, earache, confusions, strained eyes, dry eyes, ocular fatigue, early exhaustion, fear are just to name a few.
- Family interventions became an irritation, thus disturbing the work life balance and worsening family relationships.
- Untimely meals, with variety of junk foods made its place in the plate, further increasing obesity and other health issues.
- Managing household chores, kids and work from home came out as biggest challenges, especially for working women.
Do kids face Mental health issues?
These factors affected the adults, but were the kids and adolescents really affected? Do they have to go through mental health issues when the parents are around in the home?
The answer to this is surely a big Yes…
Kids are definitely safe and protected by the elderly shields, but they really bloom up within the company of their friends and siblings, they grow emotionally, physically and psychologically with their same aged buddies. Kids learn their moral lessons with them, sharing, caring, helping, understanding each other begins with the buddies, no doubt parents imbibe these values, but friends offer you experience.
Kids are stuffed with high energy, lack of outdoor games and improper channelizing of the energy leads to hyperactivity, irritation or diversion to screen, emotional outbursts and stunted physical and mental growth.
Guided concerns about social distancing, pandemic news and ads repeatedly can create fear and panic in some weak heartened children.
Virtual learning and school are yet another triggers, Lack of teachers attention, inability to focus and concentrate causes lack of understanding of the subject and creates confusion and irritation. Excess screen time for studies and further completion of home assignments with the online study material further worsens the situation. Children get short tempered and agitated; this also is taking a toll on ocular health. Itchy and dry eyes, painful eyes, increase in vision defects is a growing concern.
Older kids misinterpret parents concern, as over interference and fear of losing their privacy. The hormonal changes occurring at this age further leaves them feeling lonely and distressed. They miss the study environment in schools and colleges along with the teachers and friends, resulting in lack of interest in the same.
Many of us are going through these issues, but We fear to speak up or express our concerns.
- We fear, because our society considers it a taboo to express, that we are going through mental issues like depression. People in our society correlate mental issues with being ”MAD”.
- We fear because we assume, we will lose our family support.
- We fear because this will affect our image and efficiency at workplace.
- We fear because now people around us shall consider us weak and incapable of handling responsibilities.
- We fear to lose respect in family and society.
- We fear because now people shall gaze at us with unwanted sympathy.
- And lastly, We fear, because We can’t find a way to overcome it, the more we think of it, the more it subdues us.
But this is not always true, there is no problem without a solution. A proper guidance, counselling, positive support from friends and family, implementation of few disciplines and proper medical care can surely lift you to positive and successful way of life.
In the next upcoming article, We shall know the ways to tackle these Mental Health issues.