Social Distancing Can Impact Your Mental Health: Here’s How To Overcome It

Here is all you need to know about how the Coronavirus outbreak and the present lockdown are affecting the mental health of senior citizens and the ways to overcome it. 

With the Coronavirus outbreak turning into a global pandemic, the government has declared a complete lockdown in the country to control the quick spread of the deadly virus. Also, every citizen has been advised to practise social distancing and self-quarantine which may come with psychological fallout for some, including senior citizens. We spoke to experts to know the mental health implication for seniors locked down within four walls of their homes and how to overcome it.

Deviation from the normal routine can be tough: The nation-wide lockdown and the advice of maintaining social distancing and self-quarantine have resulted in considerable disruption of the daily routine for most senior citizens. According to Dr Naveen Jayaram, consultant psychiatrist at Sakra World Hospital, Bangalore when a senior citizen is unable to follow his regular schedule like taking a walk in the park or going for a walk with a group of like-minded friends or reading the morning newspaper, it can lead to significant encroachment of mental space and increased level of stress.

“With the lockdown, the house is filled with the presence of other family members which may interfere with their privacy. They may not get their convenient slot to watch a television show and more. While being among family members may boost up a senior citizen’s spirit, it may also cause stress and irritation if the senior citizen does not share a comfortable space with them,” says Dr Jayaram.

The danger of depression: For senior citizens living alone and far away from their families, social distancing and self-isolation has aggravated the loneliness that they have been already suffering from. “At present, they are unable to step out, take part in the activities of social engagement clubs, go out for lunch dates with friends and more. A lot of them are not even being allowed to step out to get milk from the nearby dairy shop or veggies from the local stall by their family members and are being constantly reminded that they are more vulnerable to the virus. All these are making them all the more depressed,” says Dr Jayram.

Panic attacks and anxiety: Media channels and social media are always emphasising the fact that senior citizens are at a greater risk. There is no point to continuously remind them that they are more vulnerable as there is nothing more that they can do to take precautionary measures compared to what the youngsters are doing. According to Dr Soumya Hegde, a geriatric psychiatrist, being aware of the fact that Coronavirus in India has claimed the lives of only senior citizens till now is exceedingly enhancing the risk of panic and anxiety attacks among senior citizens.

“With the fake news related to Coronavirus getting viral on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, the situation is getting even worst. Those with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are getting disoriented about how often to wash their hands. With the groceries and medicines running out and nobody to reach out for help around, those with underlying anxiety disorders are often having panic attacks,” says Dr Hegde.

Solutions To Overcome The Situation

Utilise technology to virtually connect with the world: Dr Hegde believes that technology can come to immense aid of seniors during this period of social distancing. “They may get on video calls and chat with their loved ones. It is always a relief for them to see their friends and families safe in front of their eyes and it considerably cuts down stress and depression.” Click here to understand how to get on the Zoom app and get social virtually.

Take part in virtual games, quizzes, riddles and puzzles, yoga and meditation classes: Online games, puzzles, e-books, quizzes, e-theatres, e-yoga and meditation classes can keep senior citizens mentally engaged at home, thereby reducing their loneliness and monotony, amping up mental health and keeping them calm.

Find some relevant links here: https://dhyaanawellbeing.com/online-classes/

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen 

https://www.juggernaut.in/

Keep off news channels, avoid fake news related to Coronavirus: It is essential for senior citizens to stay away from news related to Coronavirus and give up following on the death counts to avoid being worried. d. There have been several recoveries too. Try to read more on that if you can’t avoid the news.

Help yourself by pursuing hobbies and trying new recipes: Trying out hobbies like gardening, knitting, painting, pottery and more and sharing with friends on social media or trying out new recipes, experimenting and preparing yum dishes and then sharing the recipes with friends and family may help one keep themselves engaged.

Do not skip your indoor exercises: In order to keep one’s body and mind active, it is important for the seniors to practice freehand exercises that could be done at home. E-yoga and e-meditation sessions are wonderful ways of keeping oneself physically fit and mentally sound. Natasha Sekhon, a counselling psychologist at Central Social Welfare Board and visiting counsellor at Grey Shades, who is tackling at least 15 to 20 panic calls from senior citizens at present, engages seniors in mindful exercises over the phone as part of calming them down. She uses two techniques, 5-3-5 and the activation of five senses.

“In the former, a senior citizen is asked to inhale for five seconds, hold the breath for three seconds and again release it for five seconds. The latter involves activation of five senses including what they see, eat, smell, touch and hear, thereby calming them down,” says Sekhon.

Seek help when needed: Various mental health professionals are offering free counselling services over the phone. If you are worried, anxious and unable to cope, please contact one of these helplines to seek expert guidance.

These are some ways that can help senior citizens tackle the impact of lockdown and social distancing on their mental health.