The Midweek Sun

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT MEDITATION

... and its impact on mental health

- BY SUN REPORTER

According to the US Central Bureau, Household Pulse Survey 20202021,

symptoms of Anxiety and Depressive disorders have increased from 11 percent from January to June 2020 to 41.41 percent in January 2021.

Research also found that from July 2020 many adults have reported difficulty sleeping at around 36 percent or eating at 32 percent, increases in alcohol consumptio­n or substance use grew at 12 percent, and worsening chronic conditions at 12 percent, due to worry and stress over the corona virus.

The Research was performed by a group of psychologi­sts from United Kingdom to investigat­e the ability of Mental Toughness traits - MTT - Challenge, Commitment, Control, and Confidence to predict depression, anxiety and stress during Covid-19 times. It was concluded that individual­s with lower MTT and had lost their jobs or became furloughed during the pandemic, reported higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress than those with higher levels of MTT.

Mental health problems are being predicted to be the next pandemic post Covid-19. A study issued by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (IS Global), reported that between 30 and 60 percent of patients with Covid-19 have their central and peripheral nervous system affected, leading to various issues. Delirium is the most frequent and acute neuropsych­iatric syndrome suffered by Covid-19 patients, followed by a long lasting state of depression, anxiety and fatigue.

Factors that have deepened this crisis include the modificati­on of family roles, change in dynamics at work, economic instabilit­y, domestic violence, isolation, lone

 ??  ?? SCIENCE BACKING: Meditation has been proven to help alleviate anxiety
SCIENCE BACKING: Meditation has been proven to help alleviate anxiety

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