Our Turn

Communicator staff members discuss health during the pandemic

BY CY VEILLEUX AND DELIA BINETTI

Anjali Kakarla

“It’s definitely affected me a lot mentally, it’s kind of depressing to not go outside and having to stay inside and not be able to see your friends. So I’ve been running every single day, which has really helped. It’s actually pretty fun. And I used to hate running but I actually really like it now. And also, I’ve been FaceTiming my friends a lot. I’ve been trying to keep in touch with people so that I’m not completely isolated. That’s really helped.”

“I think my best habit that I have is waking up really early. I wake up at five in the morning every day to go run at the Pioneer track. I’m a student athlete, I run track, but due to the fact that there is no official season, I still want to physically be in shape and get ready for that season. The reason I do it is to create self discipline. And I think that discipline has brought up my self esteem, it has brought up my self awareness and it has bettered my self image.”

Sebastian Oliva

Gabbi Anderson

“Before the pandemic I never really took the time to understand what I was feeling fully. I guess the pandemic has made me more in touch with how I’m feeling and my mental health. I’ve also learned how to deal with it in a good way that works for me. I was feeling really anxious at the beginning of quarantine, but I’ve found ways to help me deal with it.”

personal protective equipment

[pur-suh-nl pruh-tek-tiv ih-kwip-muhnt] noun protective clothing or equipment designed to protect the wearer from harm or infection.