Since the WHO declares the COVID-19 Outbreak a global Pandemic. Anxiety and Fear about a disease outbreak can be overwhelming. However, along with the lockdown, a feeling of uncertainty and panic has also taken over the country. Especially for those who live away from their families. So we thought of getting you out of this temporary mess by helping you with a set of guidelines on how to survive the lockdown.
Practice focused, Deep breathing
Try breathing in for 4 counts and breathing out for 4 counts for 5 minutes total. By evening out your breath, you’ll slow your heart rate which should help calm you down.Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Keep your shoulders relaxed. Your abdomen should expand, and your chest should rise very little. Exhale slowly through your mouth. As you blow air out, purse your lips slightly, but keep your jaw relaxed. You may hear a soft “whooshing” sound as you exhale.Repeat this breathing exercise for several minutes. You can perform this exercise as often as needed. It can be done standing up, sitting down, or lying down.
Pick up A hobby for you right now
This the best time to find your hobby and practise it.Whether to remain active, or find a new hobby during isolation, many users are looking up online dance clubs. Most of them are looking for forms they can learn by themselves and exotic forms that they never had the time to take classes for.With time on their hands, many are rekindling their passion to cook. Looking at the rise in interest for this, influencers have started online cooking contests and clubs to keep the momentum going.In the absense of open mics, certain art platforms are inviting musicians, poets and writers to share their pieces online.Start a watercolor painting which you can add to everyday.
Write down your thoughts
Writing down what’s making you anxious gets it out of your head and can make it less daunting.These relaxation tricks are particularly helpful for those who experience anxiety sporadically. They may also work well with someone who has generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) when they’re in a bind too!However, if you suspect you have GAD, quick coping methods shouldn’t be the only kind of treatment you employ. You’ll want to find long-term strategies to help lessen the severity of symptoms and even prevent them from happening.
Stay Positive and Calm
We spend hours and hours dwelling and ruminating on the negative and fearful things in our lives. We worry about what could go wrong, instead of focusing and paying attention to the rational, the positive and the good. We should train ourselves to focus on thoughts that will move us forward in the right direction.It’s about time we started paying attention to what is rational and right.Even though we don’t feel it – we have more power over our thoughts than we think. We can decide to stay “up” after the phone call by doing whatever it takes to keep from slipping back into the quicksand of rumination and despair. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, when done appropriately, gives us the tools and strategies to move away from anxiety and depression – and eventually to stay or “be” that way.
Indulge Yourself in self Pampering
One symptom of my depression is negative thinking. I acknowledge my feelings as real and valid without turning them inward. Then I try to notice one thing that I do like about myself, whether it’s a small detail of how I look, or something compassionate I did that day.I could tell myself something new. I now make a concerted effort to replace the negative messages with affirming statements. I tell myself that I did a good job, that I am a good friend, and — most importantly — that I love who I am.Sometimes, I put on my favorite music and dance in the kitchen while cooking dinner. I bought a grownup coloring book and love to fill in the pictures while I’m watching a movie. If my energy is especially low, lighting a nice candle and drinking a mug of hot tea feels comforting.Going without sleep ratchets up my stress level and strains my emotional health. Next, I prepare myself a hot cup of herbal tea and head upstairs to bed. I give myself a good 30 minutes to read before the time I would like to fall asleep, and I avoid getting on the computer or looking at email. If my thoughts are racing, I write down what I am thinking about in a notebook.
Divert Your Mind
Last but not least divert your mind by doing the things which you love to do. Remember, the key is to wake up early so that you don’t spend the entire day lazing around in bed and feeling irritable by the end of the day. Call up people whom you haven’t spoken to and surprise them. Discuss happy events, common interests, exchange cooking tips, share music.Remember, good mental status in the difficult times may win you the battle more easily.
By Mehak Chaturvedi
Street Paradise 
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