The last 18 months have immensely changed the world we live in. It has been a period of great sadness, fear, frustration, and isolation for all of us in different ways. Our emotional responses to the repercussions of the pandemic are incredibly normal and understandable given that the tragedy has caused millions of deaths. It has also transformed the way we interact with others, work, learn, and travel. We are all still grieving “the old normal” way of life.
It can be incredibly difficult to find many positive experiences that have come from the pandemic. This is particularly the case since a large part of Australia is currently under lockdown again. We are in the middle of very trying times and all of us are likely experiencing symptoms of “Covid fatigue”, a term that has been coined to describe the physical and mental exhaustion caused by longstanding exposure to Covid-related stressors (lockdowns, social distancing, job losses, and financial stress). Wherever I go, I sense an air of hypervigilance and despondency about the current circumstances. It is not surprising.
However, despite all the hardships that this pandemic has dealt us, I also think the last 18 months have something to teach us. For our own mental wellbeing, it is important to shift our thinking to what we can learn from these difficult circumstances. What is best for us to focus on in the present moment to help us find meaning and become more resilient during these difficult times?
I talk to a lot of people in my profession and I have become aware of unexpected optimistic situations that have come out of Covid. The overarching theme is that, for some individuals, it has offered them an opportunity to reconsider what is important to them and how they want to live their lives.
6 areas in which Covid can offer us an opportunity to re-evaluate our way of life amidst all the doom and gloom include:
Our professional lives. Loss of work or reduced work due to lockdowns and restrictions can give people the chance to reflect on their professional lives. It can prompt a reassessment of the “daily grind”, bringing up issues for people such as whether they have an appropriate work-life balance and an enjoyable work environment. During these times, it has been particularly common for people to stop and think about whether they have been pursuing career goals that are important to them. For some of my clients, the consequences of Covid on employment have encouraged them to pursue new ventures and further education which are more in line with their values.
Lockdowns have also offered greater flexibility by working from home which has resulted in increased time with partners and family, reduced travel time and costs, and less commute stress. If approached in the right way, working remotely can lead to a better work-life balance, increased productivity and improved job satisfaction. This period of working from home can also make us appreciate the time when we will be able to return to our jobs and interact with others face-to-face.
Our relationships with others. Another undeniable impact of Covid is that it has made people reconsider their relationships with others. Lockdowns and restrictions have made many people more grateful of the rare time they are able to spend with their partners, children, family and friends, much more so than in pre-Covid days. Now, the rare opportunities that we have to interact with people (either virtually or in-person) are precious. We plan these interactions in advance, we anticipate and look forward to them, and we reflect on how pleasant it was to spend time with that person and how much we enjoy having them in our lives.
In other cases, the pandemic has made some people contemplate ending unhealthy relationships. The stressors associated with Covid can exacerbate pre-existing relationship difficulties and heighten personal differences. In my opinion, the pandemic has given us a reminder that life is short. It has provided us with the task of assessing how, and with whom, we spend our valuable time. This can only be a good thing.
Community. The pandemic has also brought a greater awareness of the importance of community. I have first-hand experience of this through my daily walks to the local park with my dog. I have met and become close to multiple people that I am certain I would never have exchanged a smile or a greeting within pre-Covid days. It is clear to me that the local dog park community provides a great source of daily pleasure for both humans and dogs alike. I have heard similar stories from my clients about their own experiences, whether it be their neighborhood community, religious community, or workplace/educational community. There is the potential for greater connectedness in adversity and I honestly doubt that this sense of kinship would have occurred to such an extent if Covid had not united us in such an unexpected and unexplained way. I personally feel much more authenticity in people’s voices when they ask me, “How was your day today?”. We are all going through this together.
The greater emphasis on community that has been brought about by Covid is also seen in many of us trying to support struggling local businesses, including cafes and restaurants that can only offer takeaway. Let’s hope that, as a community, we can help each other get through this together and that this creates stronger bonds for us all in the long term.
Nature. Getting out in nature for physical exercise has become a priority for a lot of people given it is one of the few essential reasons for leaving the house during the lockdown. Instead of previously going to a crowded, sweaty gym to exercise, we are now going for walks, runs or bike rides in the fresh air and sunshine. Spending more time outdoors can serve as a source of inspiration and relaxation, as well as an opportunity to become more mindful of the beauty of our surroundings.
Advances in science and technology. The benefits of scientific and technological advances have become extremely evident throughout Covid. We are lucky to be living in a time where public health has meant that we are able to efficiently test for Covid, that we are able to receive our Covid test results within 24 hours, and that there have been vaccines made available to help prevent the spread. Who knows what the world would be like if these measures were not in place? Similarly, how could we have coped without the current technology we have? Thanks to platforms like Zoom, classes are being taught, business is being transacted, and interactions between loved ones are occurring.
Our mental and physical health. Last, but not least of all, Covid has inadvertently led to a prioritization of mental health as much as physical health. For people with pre-existing mental health issues and those in vulnerable situations, the advent of Covid has sadly led to increased rates of mental health issues. Psychologists are in need now more than ever before but thankfully the Australian Government has been aware of this with 20 Medicare rebates per calendar year for psychological therapy sessions now being available. Telehealth services have also meant that many people have had greater access to psychological support.
In general, people appear to have become more focused on how to improve their mental wellbeing during these adverse circumstances. Covid has prompted more people to seek professional support to overcome stress, anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders.
Similarly, an emphasis on physical health has been a by-product of Covid. It has offered us an opportunity to focus more on incorporating healthy lifestyle strategies into our life such as getting more physical exercise, eating well, sleeping better, practicing mindfulness, engaging in hobbies, and learning new skills. With greater awareness of how to improve our mental and physical health, we can become more resilient and able to withstand the accumulative stressors that this tough period has thrown us.
Let us learn from the experiences that Covid gives us. Adversity can help us find meaning and build resilience. Let it offer us an opportunity to stop and reflect on the things that are most important to us in our lives, how we can change what isn’t healthy for us, and make us grateful for all the good things we have.