How is your mental health in the pandemic? Even before the covid-19 cases existed, Brazil was already considered the most anxious country in the world by the World Health Organization (WHO). With the pandemic, stress, fear and uncertainty brought losses: a survey by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul shows that 80% of Brazilians became more anxious during the pandemic. But how to improve mental health? We have separated 5 tips to help you right now.

1) Value your social relationships

Loneliness is considered a trigger and driver of mood disorders. Therefore, try to take time to keep in touch with family and friends, whether by video call or even a face-to-face meeting with mask, social distancing and ventilation;

2) Practice self-care

Remember to rest, eat well and exercise. As well as taking time out for meditation and taking a break from the screens (mobile, TV, tablet, computer), which helps to improve mental health. Also set a time to catch up on the news – and remember to respect it –. Is that the excess of bad news causes a greater feeling of discomfort.

3) Study

Despite the challenges of remote learning, studying helps improve mental health in the pandemic. According to Flávia Martins, a psychologist and instructor at Ramacrisna Institute, virtual classes not only help to acquire knowledge, but also bring other benefits..

“Teaching has maintained the engagement of social relations. And this is one of the positive contributions for the youth to be able to rebuild and maintain an organized routine.”, she explains.

In order to serve the approximately 1100 students of its professional course and Adolescent Apprentice courses, the Ramacrisna Institute had to implement a strategy during the pandemic: Classes are held on free online platforms, such as Google Meet and Google Classroom. And students receive support from local institutions to access classes.

4) Have a hobby

Take time to do something you enjoy and focus on that activity. It could be reading a book, playing an instrument or playing a sport. This will be time dedicated exclusively to you. And psychologists explain that when you pursue a hobby, you reach a less anxious state of mind and no purposeless rambling. And the result is the regulation of emotions and stress reduction..

But don’t neglect to practice your hobby! Remember to take the necessary precautions to avoid coronavirus infection..

The Ramacrisna Youth Orchestra, for example, adopted rehearsals and classes online or with masks and social distance. In addition to borrowing instruments and virtual presentations.

To continue helping our students through this time of pandemic, we need your help. know how to donate.

5) Seek help

If you are constantly feeling sad, lacking energy, or unwilling to do the things you enjoy, get help. Mental health professionals will welcome you and help you in this difficult time. And don’t be afraid: they are prepared to listen to you and they won’t judge you.

Mental health differences in the pandemic

If you notice that a person close to you is in mental distress, offer your listening and encourage them to seek professional help. But don’t forget that people are affected in different ways: Everyone is affected in some way, but Flávia Martins draws attention to these differences.

“Children will demand more than in normal times. They have more difficulties in modifying the routine and understanding the reasons. And, for them to feel more secure, it is necessary to respect their baggage and their understanding, which are still limited”, she assesses. Adolescents have an impact on sleep and cognitive development. “And adults have the propensity to develop psychiatric problems, which can be a picture of anxiety, panic attacks, depression, among many others”, she concludes.

Ramacrisna activities during the pandemic

Mental health is a serious matter and one of the Institute’s ways of acting, with specific actions to improve the quality of life of the community. The Circulando o Saber (Circling Knowledge) project organizes lives on instagram on mental health and other topics suggested by students.

The Ramacrisna Home Fest held two musical lives. The first, featured a concert by local bands from Betim. The second with a presentation by the Ramacrisna Youth Orchestra and guests. The Institute also has programming geared towards children: In addition to a playlist with several videos about storytelling and the construction of educational toys that is updated with new videos weekly, the Construindo o Futuro (Building the Future) project has already held 2 lives, one of stories and one about the creation of toys and this Friday, July 23, there will be a poetry fest.

And Ramacrisna also encourages ways of interacting and valuing knowledge. One way is Free Friday, where students present skills to peers. Another project is the Virtual Learning Fair, an annual online event that discusses new ways of learning during the pandemic, with presentations, music, poetry and research projects.

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