Am I ready to cope!!

 I discussed about mental health and emotional health in my previous posts. The need to acknowledge their presence and accept them as part of any other issue is the first step in creating a sanism free society. But why is it so difficult. Despite growing awareness about mental and emotional issues, why is it that it still feels like people are finding it hard to achieve emotional well being. What stops  people to stop achieving the obvious.

One can say, and most of the time does say. Be positive. Think positive. Stop thinking about it, stop brooding, etc. One knows the way to emotional wellness right. Healthy diet, fitness, meditation, me time all are a ways to emotionally healthy existence.  Ironically what one does not factor is the environment or circumstances.  

This pandemic is a classic example. Imagine a XII class student or a final year student, who has studied hard with a purpose to crack entrance for engineering, medical or management. Come March and half of their exams are postponed causing frustration and distress. They somehow start adjusting to their new schedules, taking it as an opportunity and then few of them are confronted with challenges of the disease. Some one from family or known circle contracts the disease. The loneliness can only be so unnerving.  With effort, patience and perseverance, they do come out of it, only to find themselves facing exams once again.

I am reminded of a song of 80s, ‘Zindagi imtehan leti hai’. What are the coping strategies that this young individual would have used? Initially none, but then as the realization sets in that this situation is here to stay; one start to evolve with the situation. Diversion, spending time with family, helping around with chores, reading, may be online classes, exercise could have been some go to, willingly or unwillingly. 

Another factor that would have  made a huge difference in how this youth would see the challenge is the surrounding condition. Family, friends, support structure, counseling support if required, all will add to the youth’s preparation to face the challenge at hand. May be he is not ready for exam, may be he wants to focus on something them, or may be he just changed perspective altogether. However it's time he is heard and finds opportunity to clearly express himself without bias or judgment. 

I think the idea is don't rush into anything. Time such as these are difficult and they often prove the vulnerability of the entire situation. There are a lot of stressors but fortunately for us we are adept at devising coping strategies as well. The same environmental and circumstantial causes those are mostly unaccounted while considering ways to emotional wellness, help us to build resilience and strength, the two indicator which take us a long way in life.

Like its' said, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 

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