The pandemic lockdown has widened the mind-body divide, rues Enakshi. An exclusive for Different Truths.

Since the onset of the community spread of Coronavirus, things have been changing rapidly. People have been jumping the bandwagon and adapting to the new lifestyle. Though we all know that change is inevitable, yet it is a little difficult to move out of our comfort zone and adapt to changes that now restrict our freedom even more. Right from working from home the whole day to ordering groceries online, several chores that involved some kind of physical activity can now be done just with a click. That, in fact, is bad for health. However much we exercise, some kind of movement is imperative at regular intervals.

This imbalance between mental and physical activity is taking a toll on the proper functioning of the human body. Yes, I am a victim of this too. My legs are no longer used to standing for long hours, which was earlier a habit of mine because I am a teacher by profession. My brain runs at the speed of light, while my body has started behaving like the tortoise that moves at its own sweet pace.

This imbalance between mental and physical activity is taking a toll on the proper functioning of the human body. Yes, I am a victim of this too. My legs are no longer used to standing for long hours, which was earlier a habit of mine because I am a teacher by profession. My brain runs at the speed of light, while my body has started behaving like the tortoise that moves at its own sweet pace. This imbalance is also impacting productivity. While my mind has the entire blueprint of daily ‘things to do’ ready, my body can only finish a certain number of tasks. Lethargy has become my new friend. But this is not the only problem. The mere thought of going to the doctor scares the daylights out of me. Even when I go out and pass by the clinic, the long queue of patients looking weary and ill is saddening. I can imagine the fear and apprehension all those people would be going through. That’s why I am taking all the precautions so that I do not have to cross that territory.

The past few weeks have been murky, for people around me have been facing terrifying problems. One of my friend’s father tripped and fell on the terrace, thereby hurting his head. This happened on a weekday. She lives in Pune and owing to the serious spread of the disease, all the hospitals had minimal staff. Obviously, she couldn’t go to the hospitals that were treating Covid-19 because they refused to treat injuries like that anyway. Left with no other option, she had to manage on her own. The bleeding was stopped and a local doctor was persuaded, paid and requested to tend to the patient. Her father received three stitches on his head. But those hours that she and her family spent with no aid in sight were tumultuous. The entire episode was enough to make me think about the aftermath of falling sick.

I have started brushing the thought of getting drenched in the monsoon rain or drinking cold water aside. Such is the fear! Another acquaintance of mine suffered chest pain the other day. When he decided to consult the doctor, the doctor advised him to get an Angiogram done. He booked an appointment and waited for the next day. Unfortunately, his appointment was cancelled as the senior doctor who was supposed to conduct the exam was too old to be exposed to Covid-19 environment.

I have started brushing the thought of getting drenched in the monsoon rain or drinking cold water aside. Such is the fear! Another acquaintance of mine suffered chest pain the other day. When he decided to consult the doctor, the doctor advised him to get an Angiogram done. He booked an appointment and waited for the next day. Unfortunately, his appointment was cancelled as the senior doctor who was supposed to conduct the exam was too old to be exposed to Covid-19 environment. Hence, now that patient has been told to wait till this pandemic subsides. Ironically, he is living with more stress than before. I pray for his safety every day. I also wonder how we all will survive this pandemic with the constant stress of not falling sick.

While on one hand lack of physical activity is pushing us towards more problems, the reigning virus is further complicating our lives. It is no longer the time to be worried about getting infected by Covid-19; it is time to be worried about falling sick or getting hurt. One will eventually become infected if one is forced to go to the hospital anyway! Such is the face of the new unprecedented world. It is formidable.

While on one hand lack of physical activity is pushing us towards more problems, the reigning virus is further complicating our lives. It is no longer the time to be worried about getting infected by Covid-19; it is time to be worried about falling sick or getting hurt.

The whole set up seems like the setting of a dystopian book where characters are losing the battle with life. As Margaret Atwood has rightly said that it is the end of the world every day, for someone, this, too seems like it. Prayers and wishes for safety and health!

Photos from the Internet