Emotional Health and COVID-19: Coping with the Pandemic

Is your mental or emotional wellbeing taking a hit because of the pandemic? Here are some tips to keep your mind and heart healthy.

Emotional and Mental Wellbeing During the Pandemic

[0:00] – Introducing this week’s podcast: The shared sense of grief the world feels in the midst of COVID-19.

As a world and as a community, we are experiencing grief. However, we probably don't recognize it as grief because of a couple of factors.
Anyone who has ever experienced grief recognizes that at that point in their life, their decision-making skills weren’t the best, and they may have been overly emotional. This recognition offers a unique sense of perspective that allows them to grant themself some leeway, at least for the duration of the grieving period.
The unique thing about the pandemic, though, is that it has subjected everyone on the planet to grief simultaneously; ergo, there is no sense of normality, and thus, no anchor to look towards. As a result, we are drifting in emotional and mental turmoil.

[5:57] – Forgetfulness or lack of mindfulness as a manifestation of this shared sense of grief.

[7:07] – Coming out of this pandemic with as little damage to our emotional states and businesses as possible.

It’s important to recognize that this isn't going to be a win-win situation, and that we’re not supposed to be thinking of this as a net sum, winners-and-losers game. Instead, we need to look at how we all can come out of this hole in one piece and healthy.
None of us can take care of our family or our business obligations if we can't take care of ourselves first and foremost. Thus, we need to recognize the impact the virus is having on us, even if we aren't physically impacted by it.
The emotional and mental burden can make even simple things like daily tasks and chores extremely difficult.
There’s also the sense of disquiet that we feel as a result of avoiding other human beings and having our routines being turned upside down.

[11:49] – Dealing with cabin fever, and the experiences of people fortunate enough to be living with their loved ones versus those who aren’t.

[12:39] – Reduced exercise and physical activity as a result of lockdown guidelines, and the resulting detrimental impacts on our health.

[13:04] – The dark realities and negative feelings masquerading as humor via Facebook memes.

Memes are a terrific insight into what our friends, our families, and even ourselves are experiencing.
We need to recognize that we are being haunted by our inner demons, and that as we move ahead, we have to come up with strategies to deal with them. Because we don't want to become the punchline of a meme.

[14:46] – Evaluating suggestions on dealing with these stressors

Compartmentalizing one’s worries: Good, but not a very practical suggestion, and not something that everyone can do.
Maintaining social connections: Finding your happy medium, and thinking about how you can constantly communicate with your family and friends.
There is far more joy and value in being 100% present in that moment with the person you're communicating with. However, on some days, multitasking can be beneficial.
Limiting your consumption of “gloom and doom” from the daily news.
As a business, if you are capable of doing so, consider doubling down on your community's needs, and giving as much as you can. This approach can benefit not just your community, but will also present opportunities for yourself and your business as well (though not purposely). After all, there's a certain ethos to how we should create content.
Let compassion be the word that guides your business through this strange new world.

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