Journal of Global Resources
Volume 6 (01a)https://doi.org/10.46587/JGR.2020.v06si01.007

Special Issue

June 2020
Page 50-57
ISSN: 2455-2445 (Online)

07
STRESS MANAGEMENT DURING CORONA LOCKDOWN AMONG STUDENTS
Anju Ojha
Assistant Professor, Geography, Govt. Lohia College, Churu (Rajasthan) India
Email: draj2280@gmail.com
Abstract: Lockdown is meant to prevent the spread of infection from one person to another, toprotect ourselves and others. It means, not stepping out of the house except for buying
necessities, reducing the number of trips outside, and ideally only a single, healthy family member
making the trips when absolutely necessary. If there is anyone in the house who is very sick andmay need to get medical help, you must be aware of the health facility nearest to you. It is difficult
times for all of us as we hear about spread of COVID-19 from all over the world, through television,social media, newspapers, family and friends and other sources. The most common emotion facedby all is fear. It makes us anxious, panicky and can even possibly make us think, say or do things
that we might not consider appropriate under normal circumstances.
Key words: Stress Management, Lockdown, COVID-19, Anxiety, Panic, and Meditation.
Introduction
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic andmany of us, whether infected or not, will choose to isolate themselves in order to protect and checkthe spread of COVID-19. The capsized travel plans, indefinite isolation, scarce resources andinformation overload resulted in unwanted stress, depression and anxiety. Modern life is full ofstress. Stress on individual differs from person to person. Our environment has undergonechanges induced by human beings and human beings failed to cope up with the change nearly
every time and on every occasion. Stress is not always bad sometimes a little amount of stress isnecessary to achieve a goal. But high level stress is harmful and dangerous to health. In recenttimes, due to Corona Virus spread a large number of students have experienced high level ofstress. To define, ‘stress is the body’s reaction to change that required a physical, mental oremotional adjustment or response’. In other words, stress is a dynamic condition in which anindividual is confronted with an opportunity constraint or demand related to what he or she desires
and for which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important. The outbreak ofcoronavirus has resulted in a nation-wide lockdown. Staying at home all day can be tiring, boringand stressful. The lockdown has especially become a cause of stress and anxiety for those whosebusinesses are shut down and/or are incurring losses. In such times, doing some meditation andstress-busting activities can be helpful. Meditation is a commonly-used practice to relax and feelless stressed. It is a practice which is considered to be great for boosting mental health.
Impact of Stress
The outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for students. Fear andanxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotional disorders in adults andchildren. Stress is unavoidable in our life, and it is not always bad, a mild stress may increase thestudent’s performance, stress before appearing an exam and interview, target to achieve within thetime limits are good examples. But the high level stress is not always desirable. The consequences
include physical, psychological, behavioural and mental consequences.

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Methodology
The study is mainly based on primary data. The primary data is related to college students. The
sample population included 200 students from different college student in Churu District. The
online mode of primary survey was used to collect data from the students on random basis.
Awareness about LockdownStudents were well aware about the lockdown and aspects related to lockdown. The following tableshows that 72 per cent students were very well aware about the lockdown and its necessity. But,
22 per cent were still very much confused about the lockdown and its actual meaning for society.
Whereas 04 percent have not given any answer. The details are given in the table1.
Table 01: Awareness about Lockdown
Response
Yes
NoNo Response
Total

Number of Students
148
4408
200

Percentage (%)
74
2204
100

Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020

Figure 01: Awareness about Lockdown
160
140120100NO. OF STUDENTS 80

Number of students

60
40

200Yes

NoNo Response

RESPONSE

Feelings during the Lockdown
Feeling this overwhelming stress for a long period of time is often called chronic or longterm stress, and it can impact both physical and mental health. Stress is a response to a threat in asituation, whereas anxiety is a reaction to the stress. Some of students were also facing
relationship issues and losing patience with their partners. Students worried for their academic
futures. The following table shows that about 35 percent students are feeling very bad. Only 10
percent students are normal, whereas, 52 per cent students were found more or less depressed.
The details are given in the table number 02.

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Table 02: Feelings during the Lockdown
Feelings
Very Bad
NormalDepressed
No answer
Total

Number of Students
70
20104
16200

Percentage (%)
35
105208100

Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020

Figure 02: Feelings during the Lockdown
120
10080NO. OF STUDENTS 60
Number of students

40
200
Very Bad

NormalDepressed

No answer

FEELINGS

Delay or Postponement of Academic Examinations
The biggest issue of causing depression is not having their exam i.e. because all exams after 18March were postponed. The table shows that 100 per cent students have reported that their exams
were not completed yet. They don’t know when and how these exams will be conducted.

ResponseYesNoTotal

Table 03: Delay or Postponement of Academic Examinations
Number of Students
Percentage (%)
00
00
200
100
200
100

Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020

Exam Related Stress and Anxiety Issues
Though exams have not been completed, lockdown is still continuing up to May end. What will
happen after May, nobody knows. They are anxious about how they will get admission in their next
new course, or new college or university; all these issues are in most of all students’ mind. That is
why they are in stress. The students responded that 83 per cent students are feeling stressed dueto their non-completion of exam. This situation is very bad not only for students but for their parents
also. Only 13 students responded that they don’t have any stress. This also depends on the mental
level of students and family atmosphere.

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Table 04: Exam Related Stress and Anxiety Issues
Number of Students
Percentage (%)
1668326130804
200100

Response
YesNoNo Response
TotalSource: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020

Figure 03: Exam Related Stress and Anxiety Issues
180160140120NO. OF STUDENTS

10080

Number of students

6040
200
Yes

NoNo Response

RESPONSE

Stress Management and Related Measures
During the lockdown most of the students spent their time in different ways to overcome theirstress. The 40 students said that they are reading their course books because their exam has notbeen completed. Apart from this 22 percent students are also watching TV with their regular study
at home. Whereas 02 percent students have reported that they also consulted with doctor online
how to overcome this situation. The details of responses are given in the following table.
Table 05: Stress Management and Related StressCope Up
Number of Students
Percentage (%)
Watching TV
44
22Study26
13Sleeping
1005
Reading Course Book
80
40
Reading Other Book
1206
Consult With Doctors
0402
Help to Home Work
1608
Other08
04
Total
200
100
Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 202053

Figure 04: Stress Management and Related Stress
9080NO. OF STUDENTS

706050403020100WatchingTvStudy

Sleeping

Reading
Reading
Course Other BookBookConsult
Help toWith Home WorkDoctors

OtherCOPE UP METHOD

Support from Teachers
The postponement of the examinations is also causing frustration and stress among most of thestudents. These different kinds of tensions disrupt the sleep time of the students. About 65 per centstudents reported that teachers’ supported through WhatsApp group and online guidance whichwere really very useful. They get good number of notes and study materials from their teachers.
This was very helpful for them, whereas 25 per cent students don’t know about online support fromteachers. This may be possible that they don’t have smart phone. The details are given below:ResponseYes
NoDon’t know
Total

Table 06: Support from Teacher
Number of Students
1302050200

Percentage (%)
651025100

Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020

About 25 percent Students got course materials from teachers through WhatsApp group. Whereas
38 percent students said that they received You-tube video lecture. This You-tube lecture videowas very helpful for them. Apart from this 25 percent received other material related to their course
from the group. The details are given in the following table.
Table 07: Support Type from Teacher
Support Category
Number of Students
Received lecture through WhatsApp Group50
Received video through you tube
76
Direct ccounselling
06
Received oother mmaterials links tthrough50
WhatsApp ggroup
Other
20Total200
Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020

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Percentage (%)
2538
32510100

Figure 05: Support Type from Teacher
140NO. OF STUDENTS

120100806040200YesNoRESPONSE

Don’t know
Number of students

Parents Support
Parent’s moral support was very important to boost the moral support of the children. They
continuously motivated them to have patience and concentrate on their study and keep in touchwith their teachers. About 96 per cent students agreed that their family support was very important.
They are spending most of their time with families due to lockdown. The details are given in thefollowing table.
Table 08: Support from Parents
Response
Number of Students
Percentage (%)
Yes19296No0402
Can’t say0402
Total200100Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020

Support from Friends
During the lockdown friends online support was also very important. They keep in touch all the timeand share most of the academic conversations. The following table shows that 70 per centstudents got support from their friends. Whereas 20 per cent said that they don’t get any support
from the fellow-students.
Table 09: Support from Friends
Response
Number of Students
Percentage (%)
Yes
140
70
No
40
20Can’t say
2010Total
200
100
Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020Leisure Time Spent
The students spent leisure time in different ways. About 30 per cent said that they passed theirleisure time watching TV. The details are given in the following table.

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Table 10: Leisure Time Spent
Category
Number of Students
Watching TV
60
Talk to Family Members
10
Talk to Friends Through Mobile
30
Talk to Our Teacher Through Mobile
04
Sleeping
20
Video Game/ Mobile Game
56
Reading News Paper
10
Other
10
Total
200

Percentage (%)
3005
1502
10280505
100

Source: Primary survey (online mode) done by author, 2020

Figure 06: Leisure Time SpentNO. OF STUDENTS

706050403020100Watching
Tv

Talk toFamily
Members

Talk toFriends
Through
MobileTalk to Our
TeacherThrough
MobileSleeping

VideoGame/MobileGameReading
News Paper

Other

Number of students

Conclusion and Suggestions
From the above survey, we see that how stress affects man’s personal life and organizational life.
Thus stress necessarily need to be coped with or effectively managed to minimize its undesirable
consequences. The way to keep oneself stress-free and rejuvenate is summed up as under:
Meditation: “Meditation is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, thebreath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reducestress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth.” Meditation technique is to
be used every day to quite the mind and bring a state of deep relaxation. When the conscious mind
is calm and peaceful without worries or chattering thoughts people become open to insight andclarity. Hence, meditation is the best way to control stress. People, who meditate regularly, willlearn to relax their mind, body and soul. Meditations cost nothing. If one learns meditation andpractices regularly he is certainly away from stress.
Physical Exercise: Physical activities are always good for health, and help to bring down thestress level. Regular walk or skipping or jogging is recommended, or whatever the physical activity
will surely help to reduce the ill effects of stress.
Learn to Relax: It is good to learn to relax by way to deep breathing exercise, and muscle tension
reduction exercise. Hence, though-out the day, talking mini brakes, and sitting comfortably will help56

to reduce tension a little bit. Organizations should, arrange to provide ergonomically designed
furniture to reduce time and motion between workouts, and provide treadmill to their workers tohave a stroll. This could particularly be provided in the top profile officer’s cabin, they can relax
between long hours.
Practice Acceptance: Many people get distressed by thinking they cannot accept. Try to learn
what is practically possible and try to accept people by understanding their feeling and beliefs.
Get Organized: It is always good to maintain a realistic schedule of daily activities that includes
time of work, sleep, relationship, and recreation. Preparing a to-do-list with priority will help toreduce stress level to a certain extent.
To sum up, stress can not be altogether erased from our life as it will appear in some formor the other for some reason or the other. So, all we can do is find ways to ease ourselves inwhatever way we can manage to do it best.
References
1. www.who.org
2. www.epaper.com
3. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/helpful-numbers-in-thesetimes/article31323032.ece
4. https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/what-mental-health-experts-say/article31185530.ece
5. services:https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/helpful-numbers-in-thesetimes/article31323032.ece

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