Bad mental state can lead to bad physical health, says health expert

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Sep. 4 (EMN): Resource speakers have underlined the importance of maintaining a healthy mental health and also remain positive to overcome stress during this time of Covid-19 pandemic.

This was expounded during a webinar on Friday afternoon organised by the Press Information Bureau, Guwahati, on “Stress management during the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Delivering the keynote address, the additional director general (ADG), NE zone, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, SN Pradhan stated that lifestyle of people has undergone a drastic change due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown and its subsequent restrictions on movement of people.

He maintained that the effect varies from each individual as it has impacted the mental health of many persons due to the socio-economic changes and subsequently resulting in health problems that need utmost level of awareness of both individual and society as a whole. He pointed out that the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, has repeatedly stressed on the practice of yoga for healthy living and for developing natural immunity. In this regard, he stated that the media have an important role in reaching out to the people for positive impact.

The official also maintained that the government of India is using social media proactively to disseminate information about various protocols and advice on management of health during the present crisis. He further urged the media to extensively carry forward all advisories and recommendations issued by the health ministry to people in a much more sustained manner than that is being done.

One of the panellists and consultant diabetologist from Sun Valley Hospital, Apollo Clinic, Dr. Rupam Choudhury, stated that the level of anxiety and stress in the lives of people has increased during the pandemic period. He attributed it to various complications and reasons such as social isolation, financial problems and crisis, altered sleep cycles, fear of contracting the disease or fear for the health of loved ones.

He maintained that the chronic patient got more fear and anxiety which in turn causes more harm and worsens the pre-existing health issues.

 “A bad mental state can lead to bad physical health as far as medical point of view is concerned,” he said. He, therefore, suggested that people stay informed but not to obsessively check the news that would trigger more stress and depression with the spike in Covid-19 cases.

Choudhury emphasised on the importance of focusing on things that are under control by following standard operating procedures and remaining positive by staying connected to family and friends even when one is physically isolated by making the best use of technologies. He further advised the people to take care of their health and spirit by seeking expert’s advice and consultation but to avoid self-medications.

Another panellist and consultant cardiologist from Hayat and Swagat Hospital, Guwahati, Dr. Chandra Kumar Das, dwelled on the types of stress — acute and chronic stress — and highlighted its nature and causes.

According to him, a lot of Covid-19 mortality rate are due to pre-existing heart conditions which in turn aggravated because of anger and frustration that has increased over the period. He maintained that anxiety and stress cause drastic fall in immunity levels which further aggravates heart diseases.

He put forth some general measures that would help people with cardio-vascular weaknesses such as physical exercise, proper eating habits that contain lower calories, fats, saturated foods and others. For management of stress and anxiety, he also recommended proper rest, counselling- spiritual, guidance and professional, keeping good company, having sense of humour, doing yoga and proper medication.

In the welcome address, the director of PIB Imphal, Abhishek Dayal, maintained that the PIB Guwahati has been organising a series of webinars on different issues since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic with the aim to create platforms to bring the experts, officials and media persons to discuss various critical issues.

He expressed confidence that the challenging time could be overcome if the people are well-informed and equipped.

The webinar was moderated by Hiramani Das, FEO, ROB, Guwahati, and attended by journalists, medical professionals and officials from PIB and ROB, NE zone.