Why is it that when we experience physical pain or discomfort, we are willing to go to the doctor, take a pill and/or seek help but when we cry for no apparent reason, don’t feel like getting out of bed or are constantly overwhelmed we don’t look for help or we feel embarrassed about it?
There is so much riding on our well being and our mental health. The past two years with the gloom of the pandemic, the lack of social activities, the uncertainty of financial stability, seeing pain and suffering around us. All of this has been too much for many people and there are studies that confirm that even though men had been more affected by the COVID 19 virus, “the pandemic has affected women more profoundly than men in several areas, both at workplace (especially in the health and social sector), and at home with an increased workload due to lockdown and quarantine measures.” *
The term referred as “languishing” has been used also in the context of the lack of joy and “blah” feeling affecting many people these past two years.
I have talked about my own struggles @ The Corner and in a couple of our podcasts. It is not easy dealing with depression, it is not easy talking about depression and not easy admitting to others that you struggle with mental health. Somehow the fact that we do makes us feel weak, makes us look weak and society has stigmatized it in a way that has become some kind of a taboo.
Luckily this is slowly changing, and people are opening up and talking about it and most importantly seeking help.
The holidays and the wintertime with grey and dark days are especially difficult for all of us suffering from depression and anxiety. If you are struggling; reach out to loved ones or to professionals. If you know someone that is struggling, just ask how they are doing and offer a cup of tea, a walk, or a lending hand.
Check out on your loved ones and make sure you prioritize your mental health because you should remember that self care is not selfish!
*https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2020.588372/full
https://theforum.sph.harvard.edu/events/mental-health-in-the-time-of-covid-19/
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