6 Positives We Can Take From This Global Crisis
By: Alex Harmon
COVID-19 has affected us all in some way, even if we haven’t had our physical health compromised, the impact on our mental health and wellbeing from isolation and government restrictions is likely to have hit us at some point. Worse still, some of us have lost family members, been separated from loved ones, had major life events cancelled or lost our jobs in the economic downturn.
While it seems impossible some days (especially when watching the news) if we only focus on the destruction, loss and devastation we will continue to feel trapped, powerless and scared. Every dark cloud has a silver lining and if we hone in on that little ray of sunshine we can come out of this experience stronger and more resilient.
If you have been lucky enough to have good health during this pandemic, you may be treating this period as a bit of a breather. An opportunity for growth, improvement and positive change.
Here are 6 positives that we’ve seen emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.
1. Increased connections with others
Maybe you’ve called your nan a few more times than usual to check in. Maybe you’ve had a Zoom party with friends that you haven’t caught up with for years because you’ve been ‘too busy’. Maybe you’re housebound with your partner and starting to appreciate your relationship (when they’re not chewing too loudly, of course).
Being socially connected (even through a phone call) has been scientifically proven to boost our immune system. Whether you are the recipient or the giver, staying in touch is good for your physical and mental health. Thankfully, this global pandemic has made us more connected than ever. Strengthened relationships are a happy byproduct of staying away from each other. Who would have thought it!
2. We’re appreciating the simple things
Having toilet paper in the house is literally bringing us joy. When things are taken away from us we become grateful for what we have. Those things we probably took for granted. It might feel like we're living in a Jane Austen novel, but we’re appreciating the small (yet, so important) things, like our health, being able to go for a walk in the sunshine, the smell of freshly-baked bread we just boredom-cooked. And how brightly do we look towards the future? When we can finally hug our mates, go for a BBQ or hang out at the beach.
3. The world is healing
Mother nature is loving us sick right now. Air pollution has plummeted, our waterways are clearer, ozone holes are literally closing up. The world is breathing easier.
The real test will be if we can take what we’ve learnt and apply it (with some degree) when things go back ‘to normal’. This can be as simple as swapping the car for a bike one day a week or making a conscious choice to buy from environmentally responsible brands.
4. There’s more time for personal growth
Perhaps you’ve got time for a new exercise routine because you don’t have to commute to work. Maybe you’ve had time to reflect and made some lifestyle changes. Maybe you’ve learnt a new skill through an online course. Maybe you’ve just binged your way through your Netflix backlog - and we’re here to tell you that’s fine too.
Go easy on yourself. Just because Jessie from high school is learning Japanese while live-streaming a tutorial on hibachi grilling, it doesn’t mean we have to do it all too. Personal growth can begin by giving yourself a break. Now is our chance to step back from the normal pressures of life and assess what’s really important.
5. Greater empathy for others
How’s the humanity right now? If we’re not clapping for health workers, we’re sending care packages to old folks homes or doing drive-by signs for kids celebrating their birthday at home. We are really bringing our best selves to the forefront of this crisis.
In the midst of chaos we often look for ways to do good and help others as a source of comfort. But as much as we should be looking for ways to support each other, it’s also important to ask for help when we need it ourselves. Charity begins at home, as they say.
6. Greater acceptance
When COVID-19 quickly and furiously hit our shores, we realised that sometimes things are out of our control. We didn’t ask for this, but it’s here, and it’s a force bigger than ourselves. Being angry is a natural reaction, but it’s not sustainable. Unless you’re working on the cure, you have no control over this virus (although you can help by staying at home).
In the long run, to get through this, we need to adapt with a positive mindset. This is one of WOW’s principles and it’s a way we show people how to move through a crisis. With acceptance we can move forward and focus on the positives, leaving the negatives in our wake. This helps us grow, increases our mental flexibility and makes us more resilient for the future and all that it will throw at us. Use this period of isolation well and you could emerge feeling ‘mentally shredded’.
Just like all that pop-up practice on the living room floor will make us better surfers once we can hit the beach again….