02 June 2021 (Wednesday) – Coronavirus Digest from Japanese Morning TV News Part 2 (of up to 3): Mental health under Covid19
This sequence involves the most beautiful head of hair yet seen on NHK news.
See photo captions for stories
Photo 01
Increased mental stress under repeated SofE’s and extensions.
Photo 02
“If you have set yourself the goal of holding on till the end of the SofE, but then the SofE is extended, you have missed your goal. All your efforts [feel like they] have been in vain, and you lose heart.”
Photo 03
This guy in his 30s starts out angry and irritated at the situation.
Photo 04
But eventually his feelings of powerlessness and hemmed-in-ness lead to depression.
Photo 05
“He works hard and then is angry that he can’t do any more than he’s already doing.
Eventually his anger leads to burnout and finally depression.”
Photo 06
This medical worker in her 20s does not want to be vaccinated but she is feeling pressured to get vaccinated. She can’t sleep.
Photo 07
[This is a particularly bad time of year because we have:]
- “May disease” (Spring fatigue)
- The rainy season
- Extension of SofE.
[Gogatsu byou is the phenomenon of freshmen at a new school or college, or new employees at a company getting bummed out after the novelty of their new circumstances starts to wear off and they struggle to adapt to their new situation.]
Photo 08
“It’s like a boxer getting hit by a straight, a hook and a body blow.
The risk of depression rises quite a bit.”
Photo 09
[What symptoms should you look out for?]
“Your mouth feels dry, you have a stiff neck, headaches.”
[“His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There’s vomit on his sweater already, Mom’s spaghetti…“]
Photo 10
“You’re tired after work and you try to turn in, but you can’t switch off your brain and go to sleep.”
Photo 11
[What should you do?]
Don’t drink too much caffeine.
Limit your information intake [stay away from social media before going to bed]
Make time for yourself where you do nothing
[Or maybe see a doctor, or call a helpline…I doubt you can cure actual depression by cutting out coffee]