As per the US Central Bureau, Household Pulse Survey 2020-2021, symptoms of Anxiety/Depressive disorders have increased from 11% (Jan-June 2020) to 41.41% (Jan 2021). Research also found that from July 2020 many adults have reported difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increases in alcohol consumption or substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%), due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.

Research was performed by a group of psychologists from United Kingdom to investigate the ability of Mental Toughness traits - MTT (Challenge, Commitment, Control, & Confidence) to predict depression, anxiety and stress during Covid-19 times and it was concluded that individuals with lower MTT and had lost their jobs or became furloughed during the pandemic reported higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress than those with higher levels of MTT.
Mental health problems being predicted to be the next pandemic post Covid-19. A study issued by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), reported that between 30 and 60 per cent of patients with Covid-19 have their central and peripheral nervous system affected, leading to various issues. Delirium is the most frequent and acute neuropsychiatric syndrome suffered by Covid-19 patients, followed by long lasting state of depression, anxiety and fatigue.

Factors that have deepened this crisis include the modification of family roles, change in dynamics at work, economic instability, domestic violence, isolation, loneliness, grief due to loss of family or friends, generalised anxiety, isolation, professional burnout, and post-traumatic stress.
Meditation and mindfulness yogic breathing techniques have been scientifically researched to state its efficacy to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, pain, insomnia and loneliness along with boosting quality of life and self-esteem.

As per various researches done by a Harvard Medical School, 8 weeks of meditation can not only increases the grey matter of the brain but also reduces the size of amygdala which is responsible for fight or flight response which is corelated to stress. A recent study at Yale, showed that post SKY Campus Happiness, (developed by the Art of Living, which relies on a breathing technique called SKY Breath Meditation, yoga postures, social connection, and service activities) students reported improvements in six areas of well-being: depression, stress, mental health, mindfulness, positive affect, and social connectedness. In fact one of the recent studies conducted by a group of scientists on the Impact of Yogic Breathing Technique on the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic found:

• Reduction of stress levels by 37%
• Reduction of depression levels by 47%
• Reduction of anxiety levels by 27%
• Increase of resilience to Covid stress by 27%
• Increase in sleep quality by 59%,
• Increase life satisfaction by 27%.