What day is today?? Is it a weekend? Does the inactiveness manifest into the depression?? Does the isolation make me depressed?? What?? Am I depressed?? Is this called a mental fog??
Okay!! Let me take a deep breath and calm down for my own good!!
It is the third wave of the pandemic… I need not overreact!! Let me face the fact that it is the latest variant of Covid 19, and there is no place for a panic attack!!
My melodrama episodes started after talking to a friend who desperately wanted some counseling as she was suffering through winter blues or January blues. (she self-diagnosed it!!). During our conversation, I felt that I, too, had all or most of the symptoms she described, which she was going through!! She complained that she experienced this season after season every winter. I was almost sure my friend and I were going through Seasonal Affective Disorder. Immediately after the phone call, I ran to fetch DSMV to check the symptoms and confirm the same for me. ( yes, I admit I have this habit of comparing and reviewing the symptoms of others with myself)
I cannot say what exactly I felt at that moment- relief or disappointment. It was frustrating because I could not confirm anything.
As I started recovering from the omicron variant of covid 19, my anhedonia faded away… My taste buds stopped their protest and started working again. I started enjoying and appreciating the small things of life again. My serotonin levels increased, and I started feeling alive once more.
What I went through was Covid blues more than January blues. Though, the effect was double. Allow me to explain how I battled the double dose of blues.
What do you mean by January blues??
As the resolutions of the new year start to fail and the festive seasons come to an end, most of us feel dull and low in energy. One main reason for this is the reduced sunlight during the winter months. Lethargy and inactiveness increase as the January month progresses. Some even celebrate the third Monday of January as the dullest day, ‘the blue Monday.’
There can be many reasons for feeling the blues during January. The decorations and celebrations of Christmas and New Year cease. One starts feeling lonely after meeting friends and family during the year-end. Excessive rich food and drinks make you feel sluggish, and a passive sensation sets in. All that holiday shopping increases debts and you soon realize that your credit cards have maxed out too. Failing to accomplish the new year’s resolutions makes you feel sad. Low motivational level and lack of self-discipline add to the pile. And lastly, thinking about wasted time makes you feel despair, and helplessness arises.
How to beat the winter blues!?
Winter blues are natural for someone affected by SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Individuals affected by SAD tend to produce more melatonin which in turn causes symptoms of depression. So, please be noted that if any of you are affected by SAD, there is a need for professional intervention.
So, here is how to beat the winter blues:
- Unlike vampires, soak yourself in sunlight.
- Stretch and stretch and breathe
- Live in the present in a mindful way that uses all your senses
- Sleeping beauty never felt winter blues. Enough sleep is a must with reduced screen timings.
- Have a reality check and reflect on your new year resolutions, whether they are realistic and achievable
- Keep away the calendar and start resolutions in Feb or March, or April
- Start a new hobby: read a book, dance, make pots, paint, plant, sing, do something which keeps your spirits up.
How to Beat the “Covid” Blues:
- Eat, eat, and eat.! I know there is no appetite and no taste left, but eating at a frequent interval is absolutely necessary.
- Prepare more fluid and semifluid foods with lots of colorful vegetables. My family and I often had Thukhpa [Tibetian Chicken noodle soup], Dalia [cracked wheat north indian-style porridge], Kanji [Kerala-style rice gruel], Egg drop soup and other porridges.
- Rest as much as you can! Avoid using the phone, tv, computers. Trust me, a digital detox does wonders to your recovery!
- Consult a physician or your family doctor. Self-medication is a big NO-NO!
- Load up on Vitamin C to boost immunity. Sometimes, Oranges and Lemons are not enough!
- Check your spO2 levels regularly and report any shortness of breath immediately.
- Isolate yourself from People and any type of Negativity!
- Believe firmly, you are healing!
The visitor “COVID-19” takes its own sweet time to leave you, so have patience and persistence.
What is your experience with January blues/Covid blues? How could you beat the blues?? We would love to hear your stories.
PS: If you need someone to help you beat the blues, reach out to us at @mindsonfleek. DM us on Instagram or write to us on mindsonfleek@gmail.com or add a comment below.
Moral of the story: DO CHANGE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AFTER THE EPISODE WITH COVID-19!
