The headlines are now telling us that the second wave of Covid-19 is well underway. Cities, counties, and countries are returning to lockdown grip as cases swell and authorities panic. The nights are getting longer and the days getting colder - so it's important that we keep our mental health a specific priority.
For many people, when the lockdown first started, bragging and loneliness eased the pain of staying home, with zoom-in pub quizzes scattered barely on schedules. The hope, or rather the certainty, that it would all be over by the end of summer (eerily reminiscent of "it's all over by Christmas") kept us going—a real light at the end of the tunnel.
Through April, and into May, optimism began to wane, we began to yearn for the outdoors, and one of the direst realities of the pandemic began seeping through the cracks. During this period, 62% of adults felt anxious, whether it was related to illness, the economy, jobs, or even the lockdown itself. Residents experienced increased levels of stress and increased loneliness, rates of depression doubled, and demand for prescription medications for those suffering from anxiety increased by 34%.
But as people, we have found great ways to help our well-being, combating our national crisis as best we can. In addition to the auditions above, we've dusted off yoga mats to spend time with Joe Wicks, joined Jamie Oliver in the kitchen, danced in our bedrooms to the many online live music performances, and attended important lessons about our mental health. The period was tough - but we found brave ways to thrive and connect, as humans seem to have an uncanny ability to do so.
Now that we know what we have to face in the coming months, it's important that we start to post some of the remedies we came back to last time. Although a slide in our well-being may be inevitable, it is up to us to keep talking to each other, keep active, and carry on.
As friends and family, remember to catch up, and ask how those close are really feeling, whether it's over a text or a call. It is important to maintain those connections that we normally have, not just to maintain a sense of normality or life, but to observe those we love. For employers and colleagues, regular get-togethers that have nothing to do with work, such as a morning coffee over zoom (to discuss the latest and greatest Netflix series of course!) help recreate the elegant environment that the office can provide, removing much of the anxiety that comes with working off the job. distance.
While these are all great ways to take care of the mental health of yourself and those around you, it is also important to be proactive in our approach. As a business owner, for example, investing in appropriate, high-quality training for you and your employees is a great and effective way to nurture your team and connect with each other. In the same way that you wouldn't ride a bike without some protective gear, it's always important to provide each other with the tools to protect our mental health, before we embark on what could be detrimental to us. I might not fall off my bike every time I ride, but I like to be prepared for the chance I might.
As we go into lockdown, we all have a chance of falling out; When we are at our lowest, we may feel lonely, anxious, stressed, or depressed.
But we don't need to be.
As frightening as lockdown may sound, let's be proactive in protecting ourselves, by lifting the lid off mental health during the lockdown, and protecting our friends, families, colleagues and ourselves.
Let's learn from last time, and act now!
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