New thread: Covid and our mental health
The first poll has 2 hours left but with 847 votes, 84% have said they are struggling with their mental health during this pandemic. I think a lot of us can say that pandemic has really ruined a lot of things for us, plans made for the year

Covid has brought with it a lot of strain, stress and anxieties. The rate of those catching it and whether you will survive, the fear of not having an income due to lockdown, self isolation and not being outdoors,not being able to see your friends and family etc

But there is one thing we need to discuss most importantly and that’s also the deaths or near death experiences of those who have suffered from Covid or had loved ones who have suffered from it.

There is an abnormality with the amount of people dying from this virus. We don’t have time to grieve coz in some families more than 1 is dying from the virus and others are left seriously ill.

The grieving process is different and not many can attend funerals. Many of them take place on zoom. There is no closure. Watching the news is triggering, going on social media is triggering, chain messages with their messages is also triggering.

Many people suffer from trying to overcome the experiences they had with Covid because for the first time you feel you are faced with death. I am one of them. I have flashbacks & nightmares. A simple cold can affect you psychologically. There is no amount of assurance that works

I have learnt to accept that this is the new me. So I talk about it openly. I let it out. Whether you choose to judge me that is a “you problem” it’s off my chest. But this is real and yes our lives have changed and sad as it is we have to embrace it and move with it.

I often think about how Covid can be likened to a wrecking ball. It won’t stop coz you are suffering, it’s terrorising anyone in it’s path. It’s awful. Many of us will suffer from depression, anxiety and even PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) as a response to the TRAUMA

Because this pandemic is just that a significant traumatic event in your life. Please treat it as such. For those not directly affected yet (and I hope u never will). Please reach out to your friends and just be there as a voice of sanity.

Our friends in medical services have it tougher and they are having at times deciding who gets priority. I am sure they never saw this being a part of their profession. The death announcements they have to make or preparing family members with the inevitable bad news constantly.

There will be a lot of the “walking wounded”. That’s why now more than ever it is important to address how our mental health is so key to your survival. You can’t just “deal with it” or get on with it. Eventually it will get to a point where you will explode.

It is ok to not be okay, it sounds simple but we always hold ourselves at such a high standard. It’s ok to have a cry or want to just do nothing. It’s ok in feeling sorry for yourself at times it’s your emotions figuring out how to manage. Key thing is to not stay in that space.

Please don’t be too hard on the children they are struggling too. It’s ok if on one day home learning doesn’t take place coz they can’t focus. They are not seeing their friends, don’t have a routine. If it’s hard for you it’s so much harder for them.

Learn how to self care. This is so so important. Find strategies that keep you sane. Establish a routine for yourself. It could be exercising, reading a book. Start a journal and express your feelings in there, learn to offload.

Learn to cook, bake, a new language (so many apps that could help). Take up gardening, farming. There are many handles on here that started for that purpose. @TeamFuloZim is a cooking handle that has been a distressor. Farming handles such as @terrymap1 @Envy4Green @Addybabey

@IzinkomoFarms @ndakaripa @gospelmatondi @bvumie @corporatefarmg1 @FarmMakeoverCo amongst many are here to help you to start a new farming/ gardening hobby.

Come up with a business plan, what can your hands give you to draw an income. Start a blog. Don’t let this pandemic control you. Keep going even when at times it is hard but yes it is ok to have an off day. Remember try not to stay in that space.

If your phone and data bundles allow, listening to podcasts helps. Plenty out there @SadzaInTheAmPod @girlinskies @feeling_stn are some hilarious ones. @KingKandoro has an amazing radio session that he holds for time to let your hair down.

Learn to stay fit? @MISSCHINDIYA @FitnessBaeZim @pineapple_zw the world is literally your oyster at the push of a button just for some respite.

Please build your support network. People who can relate to what you are going through and not judge you for it. Plan for the day and the day alone, it helps with anxiety and depression issues. It gives you some sense of control. I

I found this on Pinterest and this is so correct. You can’t be the strong one all the time. I tell the kids I work with just as you eat and eat and get a tummy ache if you don’t use the loo. Your head will hurt if you store things in without letting them out. Take care of YOU 1st