Corona virus lock-down - many employees In India are facing this situation for the first time, they have to make lot of adjustment and change in their lifestyle. Mental health and mental hygiene is very important. This presentation is focused on giving some tips on how to deal with it.

1. Shree Deshpande
Radiant Minds

2.  Introduction
 Present situation - possible causes
 Psychology and Mental Hygiene
 Self-talk and life balancing
 When I need help

3. Note
This is generalized presentation on how to deal
with the situation from mental health
perspective
Each person, his / her personality, thinking and
behavior varies

4.  21 days at home / Lockdown / Curfew
 Working from home
 No outside activities (shopping / Hotel /
Travel / Weekend Parties / Relations…..)
 We all are at home at the same time
 Home activities – no external help
 Others are expecting too much at home

5.  We all are going through difficult times –
Determination and Patience is the key.
 Every phase come and goes.
 Most of us are facing this situation for the
first time – so there is going to be a lot of
learning from this. Is this a threat or
opportunity ?

6.  There are too many changes happening in
short duration of time – and mentally we are
not prepared for it
 Everyone is talking about physical cautions
but not about mental health / Mental balance
 I never faced such situation before – so don’t
know how and where to adjust
 Impact of media and social-media is
disturbing me

7.  Self isolation
 Washing hands
 Keeping distance
 Social awareness
 Wearing masks
……….we all are aware about it and following it

8. (Disturbance -> Sickness -> Illness ->
Disorder)
 Disturbance – For very short duration, comes
and goes (few minutes or hours)
 Sickness – For little longer period, slowly goes
(day or two)
 Illness – Starts affecting day-to-day life, for
longer period (weeks), self disturbance
 Disorder – Chemical imbalance starts in a
body, starts disturbing others (months)

9.  Anxiety (Constant worry)
 Depression (Less motivation, Energy)
 Stress (Less productive , Performance)
◦ Anger
◦ Unable to concentrate
◦ Conflicts
◦ Loneliness

10.  I am not used to be at home for such a long
period (partner, children's, house work ….)
 I don’t have proper set-up to work
 Not getting time for self
 I am not able to concentrate
 Expectations are too much from me
 My social life is disturbed (shopping / parties)
 My lifestyle is totally disturbed

11. Thinking
Emotions
Behaving
Psyche

12.  What factors are not in my hand – List
 What factors are in my hand – List
 Which thoughts are troubling me – List
 Which thoughts are helping me – List
 What is my day-to-day plan (small objectives)
 What can make me more productive
 What can help me to regain my mental energy

13.  Positive Self talk – Very important
 Negative thoughts – List
 Controlling emotions
 Adjustment factors
 Rigid thinking
 Irrational beliefs

14.  Exercise / Yoga / Meditation - Helps a lot
 Learning new things
 Reading / Writing / Painting / Dancing /
Music
 Social interaction - Virtual
 Change - Irrational beliefs
 Is there any possibility of helping others

15. Negative self talk Positive self talk
I am stuck at home I get to be safe in my home and can
spend time with my family. Now I
have more time as my travel time is
saved and traffic headache
I will get sick, Virus will catch me I will self-isolate, this will
significantly decreases my and my
family chances of getting sick
I will run out of items at home during
self-isolation
I have prepared for this and will use
my items wisely. I have everything I
needed. No wastage.
Everything is shutting down This is temp. I can buy essential
things, This is most important phase
for all and for my nation I have to
support it
Right now there is too much
uncertainty
I can’t control the situation around, I
will do my best to help myself and
others

16.  Trying things, but not working
 Things which are must but not in my hand
 Constant worry started affecting my work
 I am low in motivation – feeling depressed
 Constant negative thoughts are coming
 I am very emotional and needs to talk with
someone
 I have other personal problems, present
situation is making it worst – need to talk

17.  Team work
 Communication
 Risk and Mitigations
 Plan and processes
 Short term and long term strategy
 What is must and what is good to have

18.  My husband is in US and I am stuck here –
wants to travel now with child
 My delivery is in coming weeks
 I am alone – what if I get ill
 I am disturbed – servants / maids are not
coming

19.  Difficult time always teaches you a lot
 It’s opportunity to analyze self and do require
changes
 Appreciate work others are doing for society
 Learn to minimize your requirements

20. Thank You
Shree Deshpande
(Counseling Psychologist)
Ph: shrii@yahoo.com