Well-Being and Personal Growth in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic

Well-Being and Personal Growth in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic.

 Jimmylito A. Solomon, MD

       The physical distancing measures compelled by COVID-19 have resulted in a severe withdrawal and cancellation from the usual patterns of daily life, necessitating sufficiently reduced contact with other people – relatives and friends.  To many, such withdrawal can be a significant cause of distress. However, to some, this kind of withdrawal is an integral part of growth and development, a pathway leading to a more enriching and productive life.

In a recent message from a mental health advocate, it said that the coronavirus pandemic has made people act in one of two ways: by exhibiting either extreme kindness or extreme selfishness.  That got me analyzing about human nature and how to equalize in taking care of our own personal needs while generously giving ourselves to others.

       As professionals who are ardent and enthusiastic about established things in life, we are most definitely selfish at times and focused on our needs, which we believe is crucial, to an extent, in order to get ahead in life.  Selfishness is also necessary to ensure that we practice self-care, which in turn molds us to become better able to help others.  At the same time, being generous and compassionate toward other people and placing their needs ahead of our own is also extremely remarkable for building strong connections in someone else’s life.

       During this time of uncertainty, taking good care of ourselves, eat regularly, do daily exercise, sleep enough and reduce all other sources of stress still appear to be the central and essential part of our daily routine so that we can sufficiently take care of other people, especially our relatives and patients.

       Our thoughts shape our physiological stress responses.  Acute, short-term stress is not relentlessly bad, and, in fact, can be good.  We can approach stressors with a positive mental point of view that we can cope and subsist well, that we have the adequate resources.  We can also view the physical stress responses during this pandemic as one that assists us to perform better. To do good things that would give us back the control of our own life is vital.  There should be an appropriate dedication of time to activities that improve our mood and that can be listening to music, watching a film, reading a good book, a hobby that you have not had time for before.

What to expect when experiencing loss and grief during the COVID-19 crisis?  The pandemic has caused loss of everything we are familiar with, including our daily structure, for some jobs, and social contacts.  It had led to serious financial distress and despair, illness and death.  This time people may grapple with all kinds of emotions.  These are all within the normal range of experiences and not under anyone’s full conscious control.  It is not a matter of will power to prevent your mind from clouding with unwanted emotions.  Rather, it is a matter of courage and stamina to endure what must be tolerated, and to make easier those struggles and difficulties that can be put together a bit more manageable without too much emotional cost to others.

       How can we manage to maintain our well-being and professional growth during this time?  Take each day as it comes and focus on the things we can control.  Mindfulness and meditation can be of great help and tools.  Be compassionate with yourself and with others.  There is much that we cannot control right now, but how we talk to ourselves during these challenging times can either come up with a powerful buffer to these difficult circumstances or amplify our distress.  Maintain connections, even the most introverted of us need some sense of connection to others for our mental as well as our physical health.  Many working groups and even our different medical societies have created virtual forums where we can contribute and subscribe or just sit back and enjoy the chatter.  We are in social isolation, but we need not feel alone.  Reach out to those who might be particularly isolated.

       This pandemic causes a lot of stress for many of us, and we cannot be our best selves all the time.  However, we can ask for help or reach out when help is asked of us.  As we settle into this new rhythm of remote work and isolation, we need to be realistic in the goals we set in maintaining well-being and personal growth, both for ourselves and others in our charge.