The Pandemic Predicament: Being Kind To Your Mind

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The pandemic lifestyle is compellingly diversified: daily routines have been simultaneously shortened and lengthened; social interactions are few and far between, yet the world seems more interconnected than ever; and work-life balance seems to have been restored - or perhaps it hasn’t. Simply, to generalize the situation of an entire middle-class population would be, by definition, an act of undeniable obduracy.

And yet there appears one invariable feeling that arises from our general heterogeneity: we are not as happy as we used to be. Understatement? Indeed, it would be an understatement to classify that as an understatement.

Since March 2020, as we have traversed through our lives under the unlikeliest of predicaments - a global pandemic, an intensifying climate crisis, racial tensions, collapsing economies, the inevitable shutdowns of favorite restaurants, to name a few - our collective mental well being has taken a decisive hit. Reports of anxiety and depression in self-isolation spiked as early as April, and have remained elevated since. Severed family ties, uncertainty concerning the future, and a general angst and uncertainty contribute to a climate of psychological volatility and vulnerability that seems set to dominate the foreseeable future. In short: it doesn’t look great (another understatement).

The question therefore begs: What to do? Here are my three tips.

Affirmations: A common therapeutic practice, simply reminding ourselves of our strengths can boost self-esteem drastically, and get us through the day. Affirmations can include reflecting on - embracing, even - moments of vulnerability or disappointment, reinforcing our responses to future obstacles.

Avoiding overwork: Channeling all of our negative emotions or pent-up feelings into work is not uncommon, nor is it at all healthy. Studies suggest that overworking is a common way of processing recent events of trauma or negativity - it is far more conducive to long-term mental stability to confront our feelings directly.

Connecting with others: A common strategy employed to confront the tumultuous nature of inner anxiety involves active outreach. In a world where our laptop screens are quickly becoming our best friends, maintaining valuable emotional connections with family or friends is a significant, scientifically suggested pathway to experiencing positive emotions and improving durability in times of distress. Keep your friends close - and maybe give your enemies a second chance. Staying mentally healthy is an indisputable asset in fighting the unpleasant aftermath of the ‘new normal’. In these Covid-stricken times, following these tips provides a mental vaccination, as it were, which may well turn out to be as beneficial as its scientific counterpart. And that is no understatement.

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