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Washington D.C., May 9: Do the middle age feel much stressful now, and seems to have changed over time, if compared to the life in the 90s? Well, this recent study indicates that it might be true.

The study has signalled to the fact that life may become more stressful majorly for middle-aged people than it was in the 1990s. The researchers reached this analysis even before the novel coronavirus started sweeping the globe.

A team of researchers led by Penn State found that across all ages, there was a slight increase in daily stress in the 2010s compared to the 1990s. But when researchers restricted the sample to people between the ages of 45 and 64, there was a sharp increase in daily stress.

"On average, people reported about 2 percent more stressors in the 2010s compared to people in the past," said David M. Almeida, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State.

"That's around an additional week of stress a year. But what really surprised us is that people at mid-life reported a lot more stressors, about 19 percent more stress in 2010 than in 1990. And that translates to 64 more days of stress a year."

Almeida said the findings were part of a larger project aiming to discover whether health during the middle of Americans' lives has been changing over time.

"Certainly, when you talk to people, they seem to think that daily life is more hectic and less certain these days," Almeida said.

For the study, the researchers collected data from 1,499 adults in 1995 and 782 different adults in 2012.

Almeida said the goal was to study two cohorts of people who were the same age at the time the data was collected but born in different decades. All study participants were interviewed daily for eight consecutive days.

During each daily interview, the researchers asked the participants about their stressful experiences throughout the previous 24 hours.

They asked questions related to arguments with family or friends or feeling overwhelmed at home or work, so and so. The participants were also asked how severe their stress was and whether those stressors were likely to impact other areas of their lives.

"We were able to estimate not only how frequently people experienced stress, but also what those stressors mean to them," Almeida said.

"For example, did this stress affect their finances or their plans for the future. And by having these two cohorts of people, we were able to compare daily stress processes in 1990 with daily stress processes in 2010," Almeida added.

After analyzing the data, the researchers found that participants reported significantly more daily stress and lower well-being in the 2010s compared to the 1990s.

Additionally, participants reported a 27 percent increase in the belief that stress would affect their finances and a 17 percent increase in the belief that stress would affect their future plans.

Almeida said he was surprised not that people were more stressed now than in the 90s, but at the age group that was mainly affected.

"We thought that with economic uncertainty, life might be more stressful for younger adults. But we didn't see that. We saw more stress for people at mid-life," Almeida said.

"And maybe that's because they have children who are facing an uncertain job market while also responsible for their own parents. So it's this generational squeeze that's making stress more prevalent for people at mid-life," he concluded.

China, where the novel coronavirus originated, has reported 111 cases since beginning of May, which shows the infection rate has dipped, and 3 deaths since April 27, according to the WHO. A Shanghai-based Noida doctor says China is close to winning the battle against COVID-19, and the combination of zinc, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and antibiotic azithromycin has been able to save the lives of coronavirus patients.

Speaking to media persons, Dr Sanjeev Choubey, Medical Director Internal Medicine at St. Michael Hospital said this combination has been adopted as a line of treatment for patients infected with coronavirus, and as a result patients are recovering, decreasing their need for intensive care.

What is the line of treatment for COVID-19 patients, which also include asymptomatic patients?

The combination of zinc, hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic azithromycin has produced positive results, and it helped in the recovery of many COVID-19 patients. The combination -- Ascorbic Acid, B-complex, Zinc, Selenium, L-carnitine, Vitamin B-12 and Glutathione normal saline should be administered on patients twice a week for at least 6 weeks. This is COVID-19 treatment protocol for prophylaxis, and it implies both asymptomatic and symptomatic along with other medicine support.

Based on your experience on COVID-19 in China, after how many tests, is it safe to call a person coronavirus free?

The coronavirus should be performed at least 9 times, before terming a patient COVID-19 free. It is a standard in China. This procedure has worked in China and it will also work in India. Minimum five tests should be mandatory through RT-PCR.

Does coronavirus majorly attack the respiratory system or it could lead to organ failure too?

Line of treatment should not be just looking at the respiratory system, as the problem lies somewhere else. COVID-19 attacks many vital organs in the body. In China, a coronavirus patient died from a stroke. In the autopsy it was found that the innermost layer in the arteries was swollen. It was concluded that coronavirus had inflamed the layer of the arteries leading to clotting, which was a factor in generating a heart attack. Therefore, COVID-19 is not just a respiratory problem.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, should autopsy be made mandatory in the case of unpredictable death or where reasons for death are not unknown?

Patients below 50 years, who die suddenly and the reasons are not known, then it should be mandatory to conduct the autopsy. After death, coronavirus is active in the body for five days, and it fades away on day 6. Therefore, if an autopsy is done then it will help in understanding this disease. In China, we have seen young COVID-19 patients, aged 22 and 28, succumbed to strokes.

Since the beginning of May, India has recorded more than 2,000 cases everyday in the first week, then it jumped past 3,000 mark in the second week. Finally, the tally is 4,987 on May 17. At 90,927 cases, has India progressed into community transmission or Stage3?

Yes, India has moved into Stage 3. The data suggests that 3,000 to 4,000 active COVID-19 cases, who are asymptomatic, are moving around and spreading the infection. The research has indicated that COVID-19 from an infected person spreads in 30 minutes to non-infected persons. The relaxation on the lockdown will certainly contribute to a high infection rate.

Do you think India has reached its peak in COVID-19 cases, or the sharp rise will continue till July end?

It seems India has already reached its peak and cases will begin to come down from June end or beginning of July first week. If social distancing norms are followed then certainly things can improve, but if not followed then it may get worse. High population density is a major contributor for the increase in cases. The government should continue to focus on finding hotspots, and urge people to follow the rules, eventually it is for people’s own benefit.

Has China won the battle against COVID-19?

It seems China has won the battle by not opening up Wuhan. The Chinese are following a COVID-19 patient’s engagement program, where the authorities continuously interact with people infected with the disease. The Government of India should reward people who follow the guidelines; it will help in setting up a positive trend in the society.

An uncertain prognosis, severe shortage of resources and the imposition of unfamiliar public health measures that infringe on personal freedoms along with large and growing financial losses are undoubtedly contributing to the widespread psychological and emotional distress associated with COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of people to work from home world-wide. Today, due to constant exposure to increasing numbers, an intense fear of contamination have a massive psychological impact on people who are working from home.

Kuhoo Gupta, Healer and Founder of The K Junction talks about wellness during work from home as the situation is resulting in people being vulnerable to severe mental illnesses. Staying positive and optimistic while working from home during pandemic can be heavily challenging.

Gupta states its critical to maintain your mental well-being and immune system, as people with mental upheavals are prone and susceptible to various flu or inflammations. Your bodies immune system reacts abnormally which diminishes the capability of it's function.

The only key to manifesting a wonderful well-being is to try and calm one's mind and focus on constructive and wellness activities, to find a path towards making ourselves more resilient while working from home. Gupta shares 5 tips you can start doing today to improve and enhance your positive outlook.

Remember! Your workplace should be a sacred space where you are able to find a sense of comfort in your work environment. It should help you feel positive, healthier and happier, more like a protective zone.

Fabricating a Positive Workstation

There should be a separate workstation so that one can concentrate while working from home. It would be great if the work desk is stationed somewhere near a window or a balcony door so that one can welcome sunlight, fresh air and a view of plants & birds during the day. Try to have an ergonomic setting of your table and chair so that you keep your posture right while working the whole day. Keeping one or two indoor plants near your work desk will help to make it interesting.

Keep your laptop charger wires and other stuff neatly on your desk to avoid overwhelming yourself. Motivation quotes around you will help to make you overall positive. Keep your notes diary and pen handy at your desk. It will always helps to keep some colorful artifacts around you to make the atmosphere a little cheerful.

Declutter Your Workstation

Avoid the pilling up files and unnecessary stationery at your workstation. Clutter is responsible for the confusion and problems all around and it leads to distraction; thus, a clean desk reflects power which enhances positivity and creates a tranquil workspace that will help your mind focus on productivity. It is important to declutter your work desk once in a few days because physical clutter translates to mental clutter.

Gratitude Notes in workstation and how to manifest

It is a great morning practice to write at least five things you are grateful for. It helps to shift the focus from negative to positive, from scarcity to abundance. One can write gratitude statements on Post it notes and put them at the work daily. This will raise the vibrations and help you stay grounded and positive. You can also compile affirmations and prayers that you resonate. Whenever you take work breaks, it is a good idea to read these.

Crystals to imbibe positivity at workstation

Selenite is a great crystal to spread light and positivity around. Black tourmaline absorbs negativity and is great to shield you from it during lockdown. Shungite is a great crystal to reduce the effects of electromagnetic radiations around you. You can place it near your wifi router, laptop and other devices to reduce the EMF pollution effects on you and your family. Clear quartz is great for energizing you after a tiring meeting. Just hold it in your left hand with eyes closed for five minutes and visualise beautiful energy entering your body and soul.

You can combine this exercise by holding black tourmaline in your right hand and visualize all the tiredness and unwanted energy draining into the black tourmaline. Tiger eye is very effective in eliminating the scattered brain and it allows us to make confident decisions. Green Aventurine neutralizes stress and anxiety from work, allowing us to keep calm.

Lepidolite is known as the Peace Stone, making it one of the best crystals for peace. It improves our overall mood, calms us, soothes us, and reduces our anxiety with a peaceful sense of happiness.

Sodalite is a great crystal for peace because it turns fear and stress into peaceful feelings. It also helps in better communication and can help while making crucial presentations & meetings.

Fluorite is great for healing and rejuvenating the mind and body. You can close your eyes and sit quietly with Fluorite while imagining your body being filled with an incredible energy that puts you at ease with yourself and the world.

Pyrite, also known as abundance stone, is great to put over your business card to manifest abundance at work.

Don't forget to clean your crystals regularly to harness their maximum energy.

Meditate, Do Pranayam and Stay Hydrated!

It is important to take short breaks to maintain productivity at work. Being summer, it is a good idea to get up for a water break once in 30 minutes at least. Even if you keep a water bottle alongside you, walking to the kitchen for water will help your physical body get some much needed movement.

Few iterations of square breathing once in two hours is a great way to boost your mind and body. Square breathing is basically the sequence of inhalation - holding breath - exhalation - holding breath - all for equal time spans. So you can count mentally 1 to 4 in inhalations, then again counting 1 to 4 as you hold your breath, and so on and so forth.

You can also chant any mantra while taking a work break for 1 or 2 minutes. While attending online meetings, where there is nothing much your hands are doing, you can utilize that time to do Yoga Hast/Hand Mudras and harness their energies. Pran Mudra is one of the best options to practice while attending meetings or reading articles, where your hands are free essentially.

You can Also -

Dress up like you would do while going to office so as to feel good in general

Go out on your terrace/balcony once or twice a day to get some fresh air, sunlight and hear birds chirping

Say yes to distractions rather than getting irritated from them, because you cannot avoid them while working from home, like the kids, TV sounds, kitchen sounds etc.