In a few weeks, it shall be a year since the world was first hit by the deadly Corona Virus. Time moves by so fast, eh? Quarantine depression isn’t a technical or clinical term but you can think of it as a descriptor for the mental health challenges induced by stay-at-home life. Some people might argue that since we are no longer under quarantine, some of these mental health challenges are long gone but no.

Humans are social creatures by nature, and the limited social interaction we faced a few months back still has its toll on many of us as many people are still suffering from depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health issues emanated from that period.

I know of some young people who are staying away from their old folk due to the fear of carrying viruses to them; since they are a fragile lot; Let’s agree that this has affected people’s mental health. Imagine not being able to hug your family, spend time with them just because you prioritize their well-being. It’s tough!

Here are a few ways you can shake off this depression.

Find ways to connect.

Now that we are no longer in quarantine, there are healthy ways in which you can connect with your loved ones. Go out and visit some friends, visit family and do fun things together. As you connect and have fun, always remember to wear your mask and carry a sanitizer with you at all times.

Reestablish your routine.

I know that some people sadly lost their jobs during the lock down because it hit super hard. As you prepare to find another job, you need to re-establish your routine. Without structure, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why establishing a general routine for your days and sticking to that schedule as best you can can help. There’s so much you can learn from the internet. Let that be the job you go to everyday.

Cut yourself some slack

We’re living in a not-normal time right now, which means you shouldn’t expect yourself to operate at the same capacity as you did in the pre-COVID era. Give yourself permission to not respond to every text, call for hanging out or super high goals because we are only trying to recover from the effects of COVID19. The world looks very different right now, so it’s only natural that your ability to get things done will look different too.

Note: Experiencing depressive symptoms (like feelings of sadness or stress) doesn’t necessarily mean you have clinical depression. Depression is prolonged, intense feelings of sadness and worthlessness combined with significant changes to your sleep schedule and diet. When you’re clinically depressed, it often feels like “you’re living in black-and-white instead of color.

In all this dear pulser, remember to always be kind to the person next to you because you don’t know what they are going through or feeling in that moment.