Maintain Sanity in Insane Times

A wind of uncertainty has blown over the world and has been hanging over humanity’s head for over to 2 months, Kenya has felt the heat for a month. The defining moment came during, the president’s press briefing on Sunday, 15^th March 2020. On this day, learning in institutions was suspended indefinitely, sending learners and teachers home.

At this point, it had become apparent that more measures had to be put in place to keep the corona virus at bay. We were earlier advised to keep off social gatherings but this had to be set as a rule of the thumb to keep citizens safe. The hotel and entertainment industry was hit hard as flights were stopped, religious gathering were also put on hold. Left running were the essential service providers, mainly medics and security service personnel.

The message on the airwaves is a constant and consistent reminder for people to stay home. Staying home is relaxing, fun, offering a great opportunity for family to bond. On the flip side, too much of anything is poisonous and solitude is bound to rake a toll on people. Mental illnesses creep in at such times when one feels desolate, helpless, hopeless, stuck, angry and hungry. One can easily reach a breaking point.

The media isn’t making it any easier as they share the soaring numbers of the newly infected and those who have succumbed to the ailment. As informative as it is intended, it carries hopelessness with it. Below are the tips that can help you maintain sound mental state in this pandemic:

1     1.      Ignite your passion

Find something you are passionate about and engage in it in this season when you have a lot of time in your hands. It could be reading, writing, watching inspiring content.

2.         Exercise

When you exercise, feel good hormones are released in your system, something that can keep you afloat in the wake of slow times. Large space is good for exercising but due to the pandemic, it is important you do it at the confines of your home.

3.        Do not obsess on the statistics

In as much as numbers don’t lie, seeing developed countries with better medical machinery struggling doesn’t make one hopeful.

4.       Use the media channels to your advantage

Video conferencing can keep you connected to the outside world. Look at it this way, the money you’d have used as fare or fuel to your friend’s place can buy data bundles and have you connected via zoom.

5.       Soul search

God has a way of drawing beauty out of ashes. Use this time to soul search, write that business plan, start that book that your tight schedule couldn’t allow you to do. 

Covid-19 is not a death sentence; many have been healed or cured. Seek help as soon as you realize you may be exposed to the corona virus. Above all, this too shall pass.