Introduction

A large proportion of human beings worldwide are infected through its outbreak from China (Ahmad et al., 2020) and an equal number of individuals are involved in explaining the mechanism of the disease neurologically and physiologically (Baig, Khaleeq, Ali, & Syeda, 2020). The focus is on the investment of resources for the development of a cure (Wu & McGoogan, 2020). The reported cases are confirmed through laboratory testing wherever possible and deaths are verified as well (World Health, 2020). Meanwhile, the infection has spread to many other European countries including the U.S., Italy and from Iran, it reached Pakistan in February 2020 (Zhuang et al., 2020).

Problems in breathing are also seen in severe cases of the virus. As the immunity declines Human Corona Virus (HCOV) have been spreading recently in the Middle Eastern countries via respiratory diseases (Fung & Liu, 2019). The rising pollution in Pakistan is the proof of trigger that clouds the normal and healthy breathing patterns. The SMOG verifies the development of respiratory syndromes in such societies (Leng, Daniel, & Munday, 2017).

Materials and Methods

Corona Virus and Pakistan

One of the countries suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic is Pakistan. Started from Sindh, Punjab is in the shackles of the infection (Mukhtar & Mukhtar, 2020). This is accompanied by poor healthcare facilities, fragile economic and political situation of the nation that is obvious for everyone (Saqlain, Munir, Ahmed, Tahir, & Kamran, 2020).

While scientists are working on antimicrobial therapeutics the population of Pakistan is ordered to take precautionary measures as shared by public health authorities (Maguire, 2020) that they have been instructed locally, for example, use sanitizers, wash hands frequently and wear masks etc. Fever, flu, cough, tiredness and breathing difficulties are the chief complaints in the COVID-19. The symptoms worsen and transfer through person-person interaction, sneezing and coughing droplets (Wickramasinghe et al., 2020). Breathlessness is prevalent in the last few years and witnessed in the form of the alarming rate of patients who have respiratory diseases due to SMOG, pollution, climatic changes, geographical and unhealthy conditions (Leng et al., 2017)

Hence, it is strictly announced that all individuals must isolate themselves at homes and in their rooms, cutting off all the social gatherings and interactions to save the precious lives on personal and regional levels (Adiga et al., 2020). It is needless to say that it is a very difficult time for the people of Pakistan in this regard; the hardest part is disconnection from socialization, going out and enjoying the normal routine tasks. This shows the need for using Internet technology to overcome the social problems and psychological impact that is haunting the people with the concept of quarantine urgently.

The outbreak of the pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) has been expanding since the last couple of months and the number of cases (Zheng, Ma, Zhang, & Xie, 2020) has been fluctuating depending on the severity of the infection, age and health condition of the sufferers, preventative and precautionary measures (Lipsitch, Swerdlow, & Finelli, 2020). It has been detected through CT scan image analysis that the virus (Gozes et al., 2020) is related to the respiratory syndrome and damage in the cardiovascular system (Zheng et al., 2020). The lack of availability of healthcare services including testing and treatment pharmacologically provoked the attention to the control over psychological aspects of COVID-19 (Ebrahim, Ahmed, Gozzer, Schlagenhauf, & Memish, 2020). The spread of the virus is dramatic across countries and the mental health chaos is predicted to be the most harmful effect in this situation (Anderson, Heesterbeek, Klinkenberg, & Hollingsworth, 2020).

Regardless of the race, sex and religions the public service messages have claimed the power of moral initiative around the world. The result changes in human behaviour for the sake of saving lives (Everett, Colombatto, Chituc, Brady, & Crockett, 2020). This imposes the sense of duty and responsibility as a human being. The approach covers psychological, social and behavioural change interventions that lessen the emotional fatigue among the people (Van Bavel et al., 2020).

There is a hidden warning of psychological crises in the current situation following COVID-19. The provision of mental health services along with effectively taken measures in this emergency may help in improving the decisions on government level (Duan & Zhu, 2020). Anxiety and fear are the most common initial evident symptoms among the population (Xu et al., 2020). This is also visible through the panic situation in the markets superstores for the collection and storage of bulk grocery. It is wise at the moment to work on the psychological well-being before it will be too late (Chen et al., 2020). We can learn from the countries that are currently dealing with mental breakdown badly and initial signs of distress should be reported for immediate online counselling and psychotherapy from an expert and certified clinical psychologist having more than 5 years of experience at least to control the citizen’s traumatic state of mind (Qiu et al., 2020). The nation must ensure some quality facilitation of online mental health services to carry out the interventions based on the ethical guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA) and the British Psychological Association (BPS). Training of the professionals to follow the less risky pattern of treatment approaches would also entertain via psychiatric institutions because face to face sessions are not suitable (S. Liu et al., 2020). Possibly students, patients, families and masses would seek education and awareness to stop the progression of such viruses around them as a result of ignorance and hyperactivity (Li et al., 2020). High risk of mental health problems like depression and suicide calls for early intervention (Z. Liu et al., 2020).

The behaviour analysis so far has highlighted the occurrence of fear and phobia, panic attacks and anxiety disorders with a high risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and so on (Nicomedes & Avila, 2020). Goal-directed therapy is suitable for the problems that physiological shocks have brought (Hernández et al., 2018). The literature efficiently supports the use of alternative and complementary therapies as an intervention (Lindquist, Tracy, & Snyder, 2018) to diseases and health condition through improvement in beliefs, faith, feelings and lifestyle modifications (Yao & Mills, 2016). Upon assessment of the infected patients, gastrointestinal issues were found that leads to impaired nutritional functioning. In this case, it is important to prevent the risk for secondary infection that may arise due to the bacterial translocation. This demands the focus on regulating the balance of intestinal microbiota through the use of prebiotics and probiotics (Xu et al., 2020).

Eating well is a dominant technique to heal from any illness that works like stem cells to resolve viral infections (Maguire, 2020). Infections can be fought off with the use of foods rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that heals inflammation (Maguire, 2020). Many other research trials have been conducted recently in which the large dose of intravenous vitamin C was given for the betterment of infectious illness {von Hohenheim, 2020 #449}.

Not only foods but also dietary supplements are also potentially valuable to modulate the immunity in human beings {Riaz, 2019 #450}. Ginseng has the therapeutic properties that combat viral infections and the bacteria {Luther, 2019 #451}. Nutritional therapy is well known when it comes to enhancing immunity and managing respiratory functioning along with better mood (Balanzá-Martínez, Shansis, Tatay-Manteiga, & López-García, 2020) that are the main features in COVID-19 (Trivedi, 2018). Vitamin C, D (Kerimov et al., 2019), B12, proteinbased diet are beneficial (Harvey, Schofield, Zinn, & Thornley, 2019) to serve the infected people as well as those who would continue to suffer from anxiety, depression and other moodrelated issues (Brietzke et al., 2018). Healthy diet indeed promotes sleep quality and relaxation as well (Iacovides, Goble, Paterson, & Meiring, 2019).

Hypnosis also supports the role of psychological influences on immunity and psycho-somatic functioning of the human body during illness (Ayling, Sunger, & Vedhara, 2020). Hence stress reductions lead to an improvement in mood, better immunity and breathing pattern that prevents from mood disorders like anxiety, depression, and trauma and resist the development of unhealthy behaviours like addictions (Schakel et al., 2019).

Psychotherapy, mind and body practices including aromatherapy massage with essential oils i.e. lavender and grapefruit oil serve dual benefits for mind and body healing (Whittier, 2019). Similarly, thermal therapy and the soothing of nerves through hot and cold water are also effective for sleep, fatigue, emotional intensity and so on (Divya, 2019). The diversity is present in the belief systems of people based on language, ethnicity, culture and religion (Henry, 2019). Religion has complex interplay with the health and human life; lack of spirituality and faith often leads to a gap in solving the problems in related to any aspect of life (Grant & Oman, 2018). The persuasive information is given to people in the Holy books in every era and the recommendations are very clear. As it has been narrated in Islam that intentions are rewarded by intentions, one can resist fasting if diabetic or sick this means that one can withhold oneself from social involvement if there is a danger to his or other’s life.

Meditation and yoga that emerged from chakra and spiritual therapies use the function of colour in visualizations or through laser light and colourful glass bottles give numerous health benefits (Garner, 2019). The combination of these therapies would be a complete kit for healthy breathing, better living (Ogba et al., 2019) and stable mindful thinking (Dunlop, 2019). The therapeutic approaches are evidence-based and popular with the following names as well Chromotherapy, Chakra therapy, Light therapy, salt therapy (P. Shah, 2019), faith-based or spiritual therapy and Psychotherapy (Blooms, 2019). An example is the use of positive affirmations, hypnotic inductions, observing and absorbing the red colour light for 20 minutes a day, visualizing the healthy outcomes etc.

The present and future challenges require advanced interventions and a combination of the integrative approach using holistic therapies as a treatment method of COVID-19 during and after the crises (El Zowalaty & Järhult, 2020) for awareness and reduction in the cognitive imbalances (K. Shah et al.). This would be equally beneficial and applicable for the healthcare workers (Greenberg, Docherty, Gnanapragasam, & Wessely, 2020).

Psychological Interventions

There is a hidden warning of psychological crises in the current situation following COVID-19. The provision of mental health services along with effectively taken measures in this emergency may help in improving the decisions on government level (Duan & Zhu, 2020). Anxiety and fear are the most common initial evident symptoms among the population (Xu et al., 2020). This is also visible through the panic situation in the markets superstores for the collection and storage of bulk grocery. It is wise at the moment to work on the psychological well-being before it will be too late (Chen et al., 2020). We can learn from the countries that are currently dealing with mental breakdown badly and initial signs of distress should be reported for immediate online counselling and psychotherapy from an expert and certified clinical psychologist having more than 5 years of experience at least to control the citizen’s traumatic state of mind (Qiu et al., 2020). The nation must ensure some quality facilitation of online mental health services to carry out the interventions based on the ethical guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA) and the British Psychological Association (BPS). Training of the professionals to follow the less risky pattern of treatment approaches would also entertain via psychiatric institutions because face to face sessions are not suitable (S. Liu et al., 2020). Possibly students, patients, families and masses would seek education and awareness to stop the progression of such viruses around them as a result of ignorance and hyperactivity (Li et al., 2020). High risk of mental health problems like depression and suicide calls for early intervention (Z. Liu et al., 2020).

Results & Discussion

Table 1: Recommendations for a healthy mind and psychological well-being in the context of the period of virus crises.

Spiritual Interventions

The diversity is present in the belief systems of people based on language, ethnicity, culture and religion (Henry, 2019). Religion has complex interplay with the health and human life; lack of spirituality and faith often leads to a gap in solving the problems in related to any aspect of life (Grant & Oman, 2018). The persuasive information is given to people in the Holy books in every era and the recommendations are very clear. As it has been narrated in Islam that intentions are rewarded by intentions, one can resist fasting if diabetic or sick this means that one can withhold oneself from social involvement if there is a danger to his or other’s life.

Table 2: Recommendations from the religion point of view in the context of the period of the virus crises.

Nutritional Interventions

Upon assessment of the infected patients, gastrointestinal issues were found that leads to impaired nutritional functioning. In this case, it is important to prevent the risk for secondary infection that may arise due to the bacterial translocation. This demands the focus on regulating the balance of intestinal microbiota through the use of prebiotics and probiotics (Xu et al., 2020).

Eating well is a dominant technique to heal from any illness that works like stem cells to resolve viral infections (Maguire, 2020). Infections can be fought off with the use of foods rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that heals inflammation (Maguire, 2020). Many other research trials have been conducted recently in which the large dose of intravenous vitamin C was given for the betterment of infectious illness {von Hohenheim, 2020 #449}.

Not only foods but also dietary supplements are also potentially valuable to modulate the immunity in human beings {Riaz, 2019 #450}. Ginseng has the therapeutic properties that combat viral infections and the bacteria {Luther, 2019 #451}.

Table 3: Recommendations for physical health and boosting immunity in the context of the virus.

Finally, the message is to stay hydrated, drink lots of warm water and try to eat in moderation, small portions and a balanced diet with the use of rainbow foods.

Conclusion

A globally coordinated approach is required to eradicate the evil of the virus (Gates, 2018). The scientists have been growing and the advancements in research have been producing antiviral vaccines since centuries for every new illness that came to the surface (Madhav et al., 2017). The strategies to maintain immunity, stable mental health and taking hold of spirituality must be observed patiently to handle the inevitable emergent diseases (Dodds, 2019). Serious planning is a mandatory requirement to apply an integrated model with the joint actions of medical staff, physicians, mental health experts and social health workers as one (Zhang, Wu, Zhao, & Zhang, 2020). There is no vaccine developed yet for the treatment of the virus as a cure and the data for recommendations is also scarce {del Rio, 2020 #447}. I encourage the further inquiry on the effective options for healing from this deadly virus to save the masses and hope that the present efforts for the management of the illness slower down its spread and would motivate the individuals for the promotion of care, health literacy and its benefits {Murthy, 2020 #448}.

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