The World Health Organization reports that many people who get COVID-19 continue to have serious health problems months after they recover. Doctors have named this condition post-COVID syndrome (often called “long COVID”). A JAMA report says more than half of people with the condition experience ongoing symptoms to some degree.
Mind-body effects and COVID-19
The fast spread of the coronavirus remains a major concern. Some people are tired of hearing about it; others are afraid of getting sick. It’s important neither to ignore the disease nor to give in to mass panic.
Rising case numbers lead many people to watch themselves closely and worry about every small change in their bodies. While the virus is dangerous, long-term stress and anxiety also harm our health. If you have symptoms, get tested for COVID-19—there are at-home tests available online (for example, at gentaur).
Research has shown that a person’s mental state affects how illnesses develop and how well they recover. This idea comes from psychosomatic medicine, which studies how psychological factors influence physical disease.
The body and mind are connected: physical illness can lower your mood, and ongoing worry, depression, or stress can cause physical problems. That doesn’t mean a single anxious moment makes you sick, but chronic emotional stress—ongoing worry day and night—can change your hormones, disturb sleep, trigger stress-related skin problems, and weaken your immune system. During an epidemic, this lower immunity raises the risk of infection.
We already know practical ways to reduce infection: good hand hygiene, wearing masks, avoiding crowded places, and steering clear of people with respiratory symptoms. It’s just as important to calm your thoughts. Remind yourself: “If I follow prevention guidelines, I have a lower chance of getting sick.” Try focusing on positive habits and don’t take every neighbor’s story as fact—many reports are just rumors.
We can face COVID-19 together, but that requires following WHO recommendations and managing our stress.
People at higher risk for mental health problems after COVID-19 include:
– Patients with severe COVID-19 who had nervous system damage, including brain blood flow issues
– Isolated elderly people without social support
– Women living alone
– People prone to anxiety or depression
– Those with chronic physical illnesses diagnosed before COVID-19
– Single or divorced people under 30
– People with alcohol or drug addiction
Why mental health matters for physical rehabilitation after COVID-19
Evidence supports the need for a holistic recovery plan that includes both physical and mental health care. Studies show that COVID-19 can affect mental health as much as physical health, so focusing only on physical rehabilitation may not be effective.
Family doctors can spot mental health issues and refer patients to specialists for timely help. WHO advises integrating mental and physical health services into primary care, which also helps protect the rights of people with mental health problems. Providing care at the primary level reduces stigma and discrimination and makes it more acceptable to seek help.
The pandemic may also change how people view mental health—seeking help is becoming more recognized as normal and necessary.
Conclusion
During a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, life can feel chaotic and the future uncertain. To stay well, it’s not enough to isolate and wash your hands. A healthy diet and good routines matter for both body and mind. Eating well lowers the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, and it can help prevent or reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.