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MANAGING DISAPPOINTMENT AND ANXIETY DURING COVID-19
Anticipation plays an important role in our psychology.
When we have things to look forward to, we're much happier. Some studies have shown people to be happier before vacations than during them, for example. 1/11
Anticipation plays an important role in our psychology.
When we have things to look forward to, we're much happier. Some studies have shown people to be happier before vacations than during them, for example. 1/11
The opposite is also true, though. When our future is uncertain or negative, we get anxious.
Understanding this dynamic is essential to managing our mental health and sanity during the COVID-19 outbreak. 2/11
Understanding this dynamic is essential to managing our mental health and sanity during the COVID-19 outbreak. 2/11
Most, if not all, of us have had plans we were excited about canceled or postponed indefinitely. Sporting events, weddings, concerts, vacations, etc - if they haven’t been canceled yet, it feels likely they will soon enough. Nothing feels guaranteed. 3/11
Compounding this, there's no clear end in sight. For now, people are willing to help via quarantine measures, but they'll likely start feeling differently after another week, or two, or three. 4/11
Behavioral fatigue will set in at some point, and it will be worse if there’s no no clear plan or timeline to end it. A life of being stuck inside with none of the normal social gatherings or live entertainment we love for perpetuity will weigh more and more on people. 5/11
So, what can we do? How can we reduce that anxiety and have something to look forward to? 6/11
I believe the biggest thing to be done would be for leaders in government and medicine to, at the very least, make it clear that there is a plan to get out of this. Give a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dim it is. 7/11
While I understand the daunting math of the virus’ spread and the importance of social distancing to slow it, I’m also realistic that society probably can’t hold up like this for too long. Give people hope that there’s an exit plan, even if the exact date is uncertain. 8/11
On the individual level, we have to give ourselves things to look forward to: 9/11
Schedule time outside every day to get out of isolation. Plan catch-up calls with friends you haven’t spoken with in a while. Allocate clear decompression time to binge a new show and re-watch favorite movies. Pick up a new hobby that can be done at home. 10/11
No matter how simple it is, give yourself something to anticipate to escape the doldrums of quarantine and anxiety of the current moment.
Taking care of ourselves and getting some glimpse of hope from our leaders can go a long way in getting through this mentally. 11/11
Taking care of ourselves and getting some glimpse of hope from our leaders can go a long way in getting through this mentally. 11/11
