A short survey indicates lockdown affected men and women differently !
The current crisis is unlike what we have seen before, in addition to the depressing news of increasing COVID-19 cases and fatality, the new norm of working from home, not being able to socialise and managing all house chores on our own is affecting each of us differently. While some of us are acing it by even finding time to pursue our new hobbies and discover our creative side, others are struggling to stay sane and cope with daily routines.
At wellOwise, we know that mental health and physical health are different sides of the same coin - one cannot flourish without another. So, when lockdown started on 22nd March, we knew that we are in this for the long-haul and that it will change us for both good and bad. One week into the lockdown we wanted to see how well the community at large is doing and coping with the lockdown.
We started getting lots of queries triggered by panic, anxiety and uncertainty around COVID-19. We noticed that this disarray was predominantly because of either lack of correct information or because of infodemic.
To assess this we launched a risk assessment tool for COVID-19 in addition to tracking the numbers to gain epidemiological insights from the data.
We also realised that just information is not enough to calm and help people cope with this new norm.
We launched a mental wellbeing chat platform in partnership with Sukoon Health to allay COVID-19 spurred psychosocial distress.
Gauging lockdown-prompted change in our habits and mood
Additionally, we sought to assess the general mood of our social media audience. We asked them to rate if their levels of a certain behavioural pattern had increased or decreased or had remained unchanged during the first week of lockdown:
1. Eating patterns
2. Sleeping patterns
3. Happiness levels
Demography of respondents
Women outnumbered men in responding to the survey, but both genders had similar composition of age groups with a majority of respondents being under 40.
Generalized Survey Findings
1 : Women are eating more and men are eating less
>> Are women stress-eating ?! Or is it that they have more time to cook nicer things that they like.
>> Do men need cooking tutorials ?! Can scarcity of online food ordering be a reason ?
2 : Men are sleeping more and women are sleeping less
>> Are women working too much at home ?! Or they worry too much and hence find it hard to sleep?
>> Have men got too much free time ?! Or are they better at coping with changes or stress than women?
3 : Women are WAY more unhappy than men !!
>> Women are really facing the brunt of it with increased household chores !! Or are they taking too much on their plate?
>> Men really need to step up their game !! Or offer advice and help to their female companions to cope with the new norm.
The same data is presented in different ways to capture the essence of the survey results. Sleeping and eating habits are more similar but at complete odds with happiness levels.
After thoughts on the findings
Whether you are a man or a woman, we all need to take good care of ourselves (without judging or being too harsh on ourselves). In the absence of a vaccine or a viable drug to treat COVID-19, lockdown and social distancing is our only bet to contain / avoid the virus.
Also, be kind to people around you. If you have cracked the mantra to be calm and efficient during these testing times - share your wisdom and offer your help to those who need it.
- Learn to delegate if you live with others who aren’t contributing to household chores.
- Take breaks and relax if you are overworked.
- Learn independent-living skills (like cooking, cleaning or enjoying your own company ) if you are struggling.
- Know that this is just a phase and it will pass like everything else.
- Eat healthy and maintain an active lifestyle. Boys - get that sauce pan that your mom packed and ladies - get the rusty yoga mat out.
- Never be afraid to reach out and seek help.
Disclaimer : Comments based on these generalized observations are not intended in a disparaging way, rather we hope that they start a healthy discussion and change of attitudes for a better outcome for everybody.