In order to disseminate information regarding ways to mitigate emotional problems that affects large part of the Ecuadorian population due to the health crisis that the world is experiencing, the Psychology undergraduate program in our branch campus in Guayaquil had webinar called "The brain in quarantine: strategies for emotional and psychological well-being".

The webinar was led by Esteban León, Clinical Psychologist. The aim was to understand what happens to our brain and body during the mandatory confinement in the country, in addition to providing recommendations to balance the emotional burden that must be faced during and after the quarantine.

 "We are all experiencing an incomparable situation that is hard to handle and it is necessary to learn about strategies that can help us maintain adequate mental health, "said León.

Some of the topics were:

• Emotions that arise during quarantine

• What is happening to our brain during the quarantine?

• How does stress, anxiety and fear manifest in our body?

• Self-knowledge as a key tool for emotional and psychological well-being

• How do you effectively keep your mind busy?

• What to do during an anxiety crisis and / or panic attack?

During the webinar, the speaker carried out several activities to show participants what our brains are facing in this situation, human beings cannot control what happens with COVID-19, but they can control the information that derive from it, thus reducing stress levels related to the crisis.

For León, there are many viable recommendations that can be taken into consideration, such as knowing oneself more, since a record must be made of when the most critical anxiety and despair situations occur, how they are presented, what causes them and what we are doing to face it.

Another topic was how to avoid monotony by integrating new and fun activities into your daily routine that allow you to clear your mind. In addition, he recommended that, during panic attacks or anxiety attacks, breathing exercises be done by repeating "I am fine", which will demonstrate the brain and body that we are in control. "This can be reinforced with activities such as daily exercise, getting up early even if it is not necessary, controlling ourselves with the amount of food we eat, keeping an organized schedule, doing some meditation, etc.," said León.

He also believes that nowadays there are more things that bring us together than those that separate us, which is why he suggested carrying out family activities together that can promote coexistence among all. "We had an incredible acceptance, greater than expected, it was possible to help many people and that is the most important thing", stated León.