Home alone in lockdown, squash star Joshna on road to self discovery

Used to travelling 200 days in a year, India's leading squash player Joshna Chinappa is grappling with the anxiety of being home alone amid a nationwide lockdown, during which even going to a grocery store has become an "amazing experience".

With her mother staying elsewhere in Chennai and father in Coorg, Chinappa has been forced to do things she seldom did and is enjoying for now.

"About three and a half weeks at home. Initially you are like bring it on. You get to relax at home as you are so used to living out of a suitcase. But as time passes by and it is more than two weeks, it hits you hard," Chinappa told PTI, narrating her experience of being grounded amid the lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chennai-based player feels it is important to stay mentally strong, learn "who you are without what you do for a living" and do things that "you never did."
"...I am not trying not to think about it because it can be overwhelming. I am just taking two-three days at a time and making sure whatever training I can, I do at home. Luckily, I have a big enough balcony where I go about my daily fitness routine."
"It is easier now to feel anxious and you can roll into depression. It is important to meditate, breathing exercise."