Physical and Mental Health During COVID-19
In order to fight COVID-19, physical and psychological health needs to be enhanced. The public is called upon to maintain good health amid the reign of anxiety and panic.
A man jogs on Monday (30/3/2020) in his neighborhood in Pondok Karya, South Tangerang, Banten. Staying fit is one way to prevent disease, including Covid-19.
Health experts have urged the public to boost their immune system in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychologists have also urged the public to maintain their psychological health amid the predominance of anxiety and panic.
While the COVID-19 pandemic prevails in Indonesia, the government, regional heads and neighborhood unit personnel are endlessly appealing that residents should stay at home. However, to this day, people are still seen engaged in outdoor activities and traveling on highways by private vehicles.
Restrictions imposed through physical distancing and social distancing since March 16 have shown apparent signs with the changed patterns of study at home for students and work from home for employees, both state and private.
People are still seen engaged in outdoor activities and traveling on highways by private vehicles.
During this process, the most important thing for the public to do is to maintain good health, physically and mentally. The Health Ministry has issued guidelines for COVID-19 Rapid Medical Handling and Public Health in Indonesia to provide directives the public should follow at the time when COVID-19 poses a threat.
Also read : Comprehensive, Open Contact Tracing of People with Covid-19 Urgent in Indonesia
To maintain physical health while the disease is spreading, the Health Ministry gives guidance to enable the public to strengthen the immune system, covering among others balanced nutrient consumption, physical activity or light fitness exercise, enough rest, vitamin supplements, no smoking and controlling underlying conditions like diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cancer.
The Health Ministry states that doing activities at home coupled with sufficient rest will strengthen the immune system because there is relatively minimum contact with other people on highways, public transportation means and in places of work.
Passengers practice physical distancing at a Transjakarta bus shelter in accordance with government guidelines to curb the spread of Covid-19. Implementing physical distancing in public transportation requires maintaining minimum distance between passengers at bus shelters, bus stops and railway stations, as well as on buses and trains.
The guidelines released by the Health Ministry also regulate public behavior by restricting physical interaction through the avoidance of close contact or gatherings in crowded or public places. If anyone has to remain in public places, a face mask should be worn.
Besides, people are asked not to organize activities or meetings involving many participants, avoid traveling to other cities and other countries, avoid going to tourist destinations, make fewer visits to relatives, friends and siblings, and receive fewer visitors.
The frequency of shopping and especially going shopping at supermarkets and malls is also expected to be reduced. But if one has to do so, shopping can be done when it is really needed and when it is not during peak hours. Even if one has to go by public transportation means, the Health Ministry’s directives require that a minimum distance of 1-2 meters from other people be kept when lining up or sitting on the bus or train.
On March 15, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo emphasized the importance of studying, working and worshipping at home so as to minimize the extent of the spread of COVID-19. The call to work from home seems to have received a positive response from companies. This is indicated by corporate owners’ encouragement of their employees to work from home. Students are also studying from home by doing their school assignments that are sent to their teachers online.
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A Foodmart employee reviews a delivery order on WhatsApp (WA) on Friday (27/3/2020) at the grocery store’s Plaza Semanggi outlet in South Jakarta. Foodmart has introduced a new service, “Chat & Shop by WA”, to make it easier for customers to shop without leaving home, in line with the government\'s stay-at-home policy during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Mental health
Social distancing can make people feel bored and frustrated. The public can feel the impact of being in a bad mood, feeling less enthusiastic, anxious or lacking sleep and longing to go out to meet other people.
The Health Ministry offers some easy steps that can help people remain active physically and mentally, such as continuing to be engaged in physical activity and choosing some ideas of exercising at home like practicing yoga or aerobics for individual benefits.
By remaining at home, there are in fact many things to do and enjoy, like reading, cooking, doing hobbies at home, listening to radio entertainments, surfing websites on the internet or watching films on TV. Sometimes watching TV and accessing COVID-19 related news via the internet and social media will make one even more anxious. If anxiety sets in, promptly shift to other activity or take a rest.
If mental health is disturbed, the attempt to boost physical immunity will be in vain.
A simple thing that can be easily done is to open the window to breathe in fresh air, especially in the morning, and get enough sunlight. Strolling in the garden around the house is also recommended. Communicating with family members over the phone or via social media platforms is also important for mutual reassurance in facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The influx of information and content about COVID-19 doesn’t readily produce a positive impact on society. The era of social media often gives rise to worries, even the pros and cons in public circles. If any anxiety and panic emerge as a result of COVID-19, it becomes an indication of disturbed mental health.
If mental health is disturbed, the attempt to boost physical immunity will be in vain. Therefore, if one’s mental health is being disturbed due to COVID-19, psychologists recommend a total halt for reading or seeking information or passing on information about COVID-19. It’s because when one is mentally disturbed, it will be useless to learn how many people are affected by COVID-19, how many die and how many recover. The information will even increase anxiety.
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A video uploaded to Instagram on Saturday (21/3/2020) demonstrates a yoga move. Online exercising videos have been circulating widely to fill the void left by the social distancing policy to combat the Covid-19 outbreak in Indonesia.
Psychologists and mental health specialists also suggest a total halt to reading or seeking information or passing on information about COVID-19 for at least two weeks, During the period the public can allocate a lot of time to reading books, watching films or amusing videos, karaoke singing, fitness exercise or sports, meditation, prayer or whatever is positive and can make one’s mind feel calm and happy.
It is also recommended that the public cease distributing and spreading information about COVID-19 on social media and conversation groups like WhatsApp or Telegram, which will just further amplify various negative emotions such as fear, worry, anxiety and helplessness.
Today is the time to fight the coronavirus by thinking positively and feeling positive emotions, sending positive signals for oneself and the environment as well as spreading information that is soothing and calming for one’s own and common good.
By practicing the various things suggested by the Health Ministry and psychologists or mental health experts optimally, the threat of COVID-19 is expected to gradually wane and eventually disappear along with physical and mental strengthening.
(KOMPAS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT DIVISION)
