Mental wellness during a global pandemic

There isn’t a day that goes by where it is apparent that the current pandemic is acutely affecting people’s mental wellness and ability to function.

It’s also more concerning that the longer this pandemic lasts, the more it is evident that we may never get back to a state of what we thought of as normal and what does normal even mean anymore?

Mental wellness was already at the forefront of everyone’s mind, but it’s even more apparent that we need to consider what the impact of Covid-19 has had on ourselves, our family, our friends, our clients and our colleagues.

An invisible assassin

Not only has the world been introduced to an invisible assassin – which makes it terrifying to even step outside of the confines of our homes – but we now have the anxiety of not knowing what devastation this virus is going to leave in its wake. 

Economies have already been shattered, job losses around every corner and most shockingly loss of lives for so many. We’ve all self-isolated at home for weeks if not months in some cases – which wasn’t too difficult in theory but became really challenging in practice. Spending your days catching up on all your Netflix boxsets, finishing off all those outstanding DIY tasks you had let slide, and playing endlessly with your children isn’t how it looked in reality. 

Your days just got longer and the typical 9 to 5 is non-existent. Your weekends no longer have to fall on a Saturday and Sunday. Your life is 24/7. So how do you begin to stay calm, let alone positive, in this strange time and beyond? The answer is simple: remember that we’re all going through it together. We may not be in the same boat, but we are all weathering the same storm.

Safety in numbers

Everyone knows someone who has had it worse. And no one is escaping unaffected from the global pandemic. The world is changing. Everyone – and everything – is changing too. Some people sadly have had to self-isolate alone. Some have self-isolated with small children whom at one point they were also expected to home school whilst still trying to maintain their own career. And others self-isolated but still had to venture out into the world every day to work because their job demands it. There is a whole world of people going through untold challenges. From people working frontline jobs like nurses and doctors, to unsung heroes like delivery drivers, food factory workers and tradespeople. All of them would probably see self-isolation as a luxury, as they have to face the dangers of coronavirus head on, every day. It’s healthy to try to have perspective, and to remember the sheer scale of this crisis. Everyone is struggling or has struggled, and in all likelihood, many people have it worse. We have to try in the most difficult moments to appreciate and value what we do have – the small things. 

A combination of enjoying those simple moments, and remembering the fact we’re in this together, can only help us to have a more positive outlook.

It’s a global crisis – and there will be a global response

The majority of businesses are going to have to make cuts if they haven’t already and that’s a concern for employees across the country. The government have done their best to reassure people and keep their jobs safe, but in reality, the state of our economy is going to be unrecognisable when we reach the other side. To put it simply, businesses are struggling – and will struggle after this crisis ends. 

Unemployment will go up, and financial stability will plummet. There are hard times ahead for everyone. So where do we look for hope? First and foremost, this will end. It might not seem that way, but it will – whether through a vaccine, improved treatment, isolating it on a global scale or another unforeseen innovation. 

And although it’s effects will be felt for some time, we can again take comfort in knowing that this is a global problem that will have a global reaction. We’re in it together. Government’s will need businesses to get moving, customers to buy products and employees will get back into work. There will be new employment opportunities. That’s why it’s so important that you remain focused, engaged and prepared – not just to weather this storm, but to be ready for whatever comes next. 

The UK will need to get back to work – and we’ll need to be there to make it happen. There is light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can’t see it yet. This is a hard time – for most of us, the hardest. But imagine how good we’ll feel if we can come out the other side in one piece? Just remember, whatever you’re going through, you are not alone.