On Lockdown Anxiety, And How To Alleviate The Same

Do your days seem to fly past in a blur during the lockdown? Do you feel drained from hours of unending online classes or work? Does the perpetual loneliness of being stuck at home get to you? If you feel anxious, stressed, hopeless or mentally depleted during the lockdown, chances are you may be facing lockdown anxiety.

Lockdown anxiety indicates the rise in stress, anxiety, depression or similar psychological distress in people, owing to the conditions created by the pandemic. The lack of human contact, constant fear of contacting COVID, worries about provisions and healthcare, stress from unemployment and financial difficulties, concern about fellow humans in desolate situations, and work pressures arising from extended online office hours are all primary triggers of lockdown anxiety. Due to many similar factors, lockdown anxiety can affect anyone at any time. Studies have shown that people deal with lockdown anxiety even after the relaxation of pandemic restrictions. These patterns of anxiety, stress and depression were observed in varying degrees with respect to the age, gender, profession, et al of the research participants.

A study conducted with a sample of 403 Indian participants in early 2020 ascertained that most of the participants faced anxiety at higher rates than stress and depression, though the latter existed too, albeit in mild stages. In participants who had lesser access to daily essentials, anxiety was found to be severe in nature. Dishearteningly, the results turned out to be similar in a study published a year later in France. Of the 729 research participants, nearly 200 persons reported experiencing increased anxiety and stress owing to the pandemic conditions. Moreover, persons infected with COVID and individuals with prior mental health difficulties faced greater rates of stress and anxiety during the lockdown. 

These data may seem to indicate the inevitability of lockdown anxiety, but it’s important to note that lockdown anxiety can be alleviated. Here are a few tips to ease lockdown anxiety:

1. Practice a regular routine with plenty of breaks. Maintaining a regular routine helps withdraw uncertainty and prevents your days from blurring into the next. Giving yourself breaks to do things you love, or even simply relaxing, helps avoid being overworked.
2. If constant updates about the pandemic bother you, try and read about important happenings from a single or a few reliable sources at regular intervals. This will reduce the fear of missing out, and give you the space to process information at your own pace.
3. Meet your loved ones virtually to recreate a sense of togetherness. Talk to trusted persons about your feelings and hear them out too. This will allay feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
4. When possible, spend time in a larger but safe space (bonus points if it’s in contact with nature!) A walk on the terrace, walking your pet, or a few minutes spent in your garden can ease anxiety.
5. Indulge in activities such as colouring, singing aloud, or cleaning your room. This can help calm overwhelming feelings and restlessness.
6. Track your anxiety with a mood tracker. It could be helpful in identifying and mitigating the triggering factors of lockdown anxiety.

Above all, even if in-person gatherings are cancelled, mask-less life seems unimaginable. And even as hugs become scarce, remember that hope can never be cancelled! We believe in you and are sharing our strength and love to all those who are coping with lockdown anxiety. We hope our tips help you find your way towards better mental health!