Christmas and the end of the year are synonymous with celebrating in the company of family and friends; of festivities, hugs and good times in the group.
However, this year, due to the pandemic and health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the collective holidays to which many are accustomed should be avoided.
Faced with the situation, emotions such as sadness, nostalgia and melancholy can appear, which according to Dr. Paulo Castro, a specialist in Wellness Medicine at the Vitality Clinic, can be overcome naturally.
Social distancing can also trigger manifestations such as anxiety and depression, which require special attention, according to Dr. Castro.
How to determine them
According to the wellness medicine specialist, anxiety can be identified if there are sleep difficulties; Permanent worry that causes anxiety, discomfort in the body due to accelerated heart and respiratory rate, muscle tension, stomach, among other symptoms.
“Anxiety can be mild or moderate, such as transient anxiety or nervousness, or it can be a constant feeling of fear, terror or panic. In general, experiencing feelings of tension or stress for a long time is a form of expression of anxiety “, explained Dr. Castro.
Regarding depression, the expert explained that it is associated with an emotion of permanent sadness that may be accompanied by feelings of anger, frustration or helplessness.
“Although it is normal to feel this way at some point in life, if this discomfort lasts for more than two weeks, it is possible to talk about a mood disorder. It is also possible that, living long periods of anxiety, this will lead the person to suffer from chronic depression “, explained the Wellness Medicine specialist.
Some of the symptoms of depression are: difficulty falling asleep, sudden changes in appetite, permanent lack of energy or fatigue, loss of interest in hobbies you have previously enjoyed and difficulty concentrating.
To overcome them
Depression and anxiety are two common conditions in today’s society, so someone suffering from one of these disorders should not feel ashamed and should seek help otherwise.
Doctor. Castro offered a series of recommendations to deal with them:
- Identify if it is a problem out of control: all people tend to have difficult emotional moments, and the ability to overcome is what makes the difference. If your anxiety is permanent or you think you are depressed, you should probably approach the problem with the help of a professional.
- Apply physical activity routines and maintain good habits: A good diet, exercise and proper rest contribute to well-being, through the production of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for maintaining good spirits in people.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs: Drug and alcohol use usually creates circles of addiction that deepen the problem you wanted to tackle.
- Practice meditation: emotions develop in the brain and practicing activities such as meditation, helps to better understand the mental images that cause suffering.
- Assess heredity and hormonal imbalances: Depression and anxiety can sometimes be caused by hereditary genetic factors as well as hormonal imbalances. You can investigate family history and look for patterns of behavior that are safe if they are of physiological origin.
“If you are someone close to a person who may be suffering from depression or anxiety, you can also contribute by being attentive or attentive to the abnormal behaviors of your loved one and you can recommend a visit to a competent specialist,” concluded Dr. Castro.
Journalist with a degree in media production from the Latin University of Costa Rica. Commercial speaker trained at the National Institute of Learning.