In commemoration of World Mental Health Day (which was celebrated on the 10th of October) let’s pat ourselves on the back for getting safely through another year. With the pandemic changing our daily lives creating a new normal, it hasn’t been easy for many of us to adjust to these changes. Many often found themselves struggling to keep up with their mental health while facing many obstacles; from being cooped up in their homes for too long to navigating through the unfamiliar territories of online education to facing financial struggles, the pandemic hasn’t been easy for us. Prior to COVID-19, the topic of mental health was a stigma, constantly being deemed as unworthy of a platform to discourse. However, mental health is now a prioritised subject where its element of taboo has been demolished over the past couple of months. With more people verbalising their mental health struggles, a safe space has been created within the community encouraging people to prioritise their mental health.
Here are a few approaches some of us took to look after our mental health while facing our battles.

“I took more breaks and started watching light-hearted TV shows on Netflix. It helped me laugh and focus on the now. Felt good to have a break from the constant agonising over how uncertain everything in the future felt...” - Tharushi Weerasinghe

“I did some gardening, listened to music, read light novels, spent time with my family and pets and did some guided meditation to help me cope during the pandemic” - Roneshi Hettihewage

“When my physical health gradually fell, it negatively affected my mental health too. During the time I was physically inactive and had absolutely nothing to do, it led to my anxiety taking control over me and led me to feel de-motivated constantly during the day. I no longer wanted to feel this way and therefore, I was passionate about recovering so I studied about it, researched, reached out for help, and did everything I possibly could to stop myself from spiraling. And ever since I decided to focus on getting better, I constantly kept myself occupied both mentally and physically and it has worked well for me” - Amna Azeez

“I did a lot of journaling and meditating. Singing also helped me a lot.”- Sanjula Botejue

“Staying at home for over a year really did take a toll on my mental health. I ventured on a path of spiritual healing. Looking forward to when I would be able to travel again is also something that has kept me going forward” - Nishani Ranasinghe

“Your mental health is like the hull of a ship. If there’s a leak and you leave it unattended you won’t notice until you’ve taken in too much water. It’s important you let out your pent-up emotions in any way you can. Be in singing, dancing, drawing, or whatever you may see fit. Spend time with your family and keep in touch with your friends to see how they’re doing. That’s what I did and that’s how we can get through the pandemic together” - Sahan Dharmasena

“I kept in constant touch with my friends, through video calls. I also worked out every evening and caught the sunset from the rooftop. Every evening my mother and I would have tea and spend quality time. Helping my mother out with her small vegetable patch was also something that was very therapeutic for me” -  Buthmee Fernando

“To keep my mental health intact, positive reinforcement was crucial. It’s important to be optimistic going into each day regardless of how confined you really are, as was the case during this pandemic. If you find things you’re grateful to have, try things you never would have done under normal circumstances and keep challenging yourself, you’ll certainly be able to keep your mental health in fine form, which was certainly the case’ - Imadh Imran

by Tiranya Ranasinghe