Wando-gun Conducts 'Mind Rest' Program for COVID-19 Response Personnel

Published 19 Nov.2021 15:26(KST)

Relieve Stress and Depression through Nordic Walking, Meditation, and Making Sleep Pillows

The "Mind Rest" program is being conducted for 15 people, including COVID-19 response personnel and those with self-quarantine experience, in the area of the Marine Climate Healing Center. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] On the 17th, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, conducted the ‘Mind Rest’ program for 15 people, including COVID-19 response personnel and those with self-quarantine experience, at the Marine Climate Healing Center area in Sinji-myeon.

According to the county on the 19th, the ‘Mind Rest’ program was prepared to help high-risk groups for mental health, exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, improve stress management skills and increase physical activity to achieve mental and physical stability and maintain health.

First, stress was measured through brainwave analysis, followed by a self-test for depression (PHQ-9), and then participants consulted with mental health experts about the results. They also made sleep pillows and had music therapy sessions through music appreciation.

In particular, participants experienced marine healing activities such as beach Nordic walking while enjoying sunlight, sea breeze, aerosols, and the sound of waves, as well as singing bowl meditation called the ‘Singing Bowl’.

Kim, a resident of Wando-eup who participated in the program, said, “Because of COVID-19, I couldn’t attend gatherings or travel, so I was continuously depressed, but I was happy to participate in such a good program, and my gloomy mood disappeared.” He added, “I hope programs like this are held frequently so that people exhausted by COVID-19 can gain strength.”

A county official said, “Although phased daily recovery has been implemented, the activities of COVID-19 response personnel are expected to increase further,” and added, “We will make efforts to relieve the mental fatigue of response personnel who have been greatly exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.”