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EPSYCHODELIC STALL RUNSFORD LARYEA
VEN as a regular, law-abiding and non-politically inclined citizen you do not need multiple degrees in the Political Science field, for instance, to notice the steep rise in socio-political tensions in our country, particularly over the last couple of years. By this, I refer to the amount of violence, unrest and instability we have been exposed to, which on its own, is a far-cry from what we would formerly associate with our landlocked beauty.
Effect
Experts in areas relating to that field would do a better job explaining the cause and effect of all that (better than I ever would), however, the bottom line remains, and it is that the trickle down effects of this are felt at every level of society right across the age spectrum. Considering the fact that we were still reeling from the pandemic, a period of normality would have been the ideal mode to recovery, however, that has hardly been the case as we have progressed further and further from that.
As I may have subtly alluded to, there are trickle down effects of this kind of engulfing uncertainty which are certainly existent and even though the implications of them, largely physical and on the economic front, there are psychological and psycho-emotional implications on the masses as well. In fact, it is from the exposure to violence, concerns surrounding our general safety and uncertainty going forward that tends to breed a generalised anxiety in and among the people in that society.
Traumas
The psychological traumas of the pandemic have been loudly spoken about and duly put under the spotlight (and rightfully so) and given the lifelong nature of some of them, it must be very difficult for many citizens to take the fact that the current socio-economic and socio-political landscape cannot afford them that mental respite.
It is with this backdrop that it is (once again) vital to bring into context the position of the individual’s mental health in all of this. Living almost every day reading and hearing traumatising stories about events that make you question you and your family’s safety, which place doubt over your security in the employment position you have or cause you to consistently worry about matching the rising cost of living can cause a few people to mentally break down or struggle to cope.
Add to that, the stresses of daily life that we are
always in contention with, it really does begin to take its toll on the individual overtime, and in reality, that is painfully the case.
From a mental health perspective, even though current situation the societal status quo does not offer much in ways of encouragement, however, what this does is offer back to each individual the responsibility to self-monitor, self-replenish and literally self-invest in their mental health and psychosocial well-being.
This means, since we are not acquiring the necessary tranquility and stability we would previously have had to lead our lives from the current situation, it is upon the individual to find ways of de-stressing, detaching with reason and manifesting that mental peace that is very important.
Not only is it key for one to remain as calm, composed, as fully functional and effective as possible even when their surroundings are in somewhat ‘never-experienced-before’ turmoil, but it is equally as relevant for them to invest more time in rewarding (than stressing) experiences. In doing this, self-care should probably be the most prominent figure. In as much as it is a phrase that is thrown around aplenty these days and different people have different ways of acting it out.
Whether its spending money at a fast-food parlor or taking road trips, its significance is similar across the board essentially, as its function remains to declutter mentally, recharge and replenish your mental resources; something we cannot overemphasize. Send comments to runsford0505@gmail.com.