Stay home, stay well: Talk to people you know, trust
Amid the countrywide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, millions are working from home while children are off school.
Staying at home all day can be tiring, boring and stressful while it can have a serious impact on people's mental health if not addressed properly.
It is normal to feel anxious at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on almost every domain of people's lives by disrupting their everyday routine.
In an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the government declared a 10-day general holiday from March 26 to April 4 and then extended it to April 11.
World Health Organisation Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asked people to take care of their mental health during the lockdown.
"It's normal to feel stressed, confused and scared during a crisis. Talking to people you know and trust can help. Supporting other people in your community can help you as much as it does them," he said.
Eminent psychologist in the country Farida Akhtar told The Daily Star that people may face palpitation, breathing difficulties and an increase of blood pressure due to anxiety and stress.
She said what is most dangerous is that the anxiety can pass on to children from their parents and the situation can turn worse if it is not addressed immediately.
Getting involved in creative activities can be an effective means to manage stress, she said.
"Family members can cook together and can discuss the taste of the food in the dining table."
She said those who have a reading habit can read books. "People can listen to music. Music therapy is very good to overcome stress."
Farida Akhtar, chief executive of Inner force, a centre for psychological counselling, said people can perform religious rituals in the house as it cool peoples mind and bring peace in the mind.
"This is a good opportunity to spend some quality time with the kids and partners. In a busy life, we get a little time for them. So, we can utilise this properly to reduce the gaps."
She said, "Autosuggestion, meditation, relaxation and visualisation are the scientific methods to manage stress."
As to autosuggestion, she said one might counsel himself or herself by thinking that everyone else is going through the same crisis.
For meditation, one can exercise deep breathing to get relief from the anxiety and stress, she said.
The noted psychologist said when people suffer from anxiety and stress, their cognition does not function properly, and as a result, they make mistakes.
"So, stress management is very crucial in this crisis period," she said.
Comments