Reflections of Wellbeing During Covid times
It has become normal these days that all we ever talk about is COVID-19 – it's almost as if nothing else exists. When fear is present, the mind can only focus on what it’s afraid of; there is a separation from self, and a dissociation caused by chronic anxiety. Right now, our conversations meander between wondering how the world will change when this is over, to greater questions of what the idea of ‘over’ will even mean. This virus has turned the world upside down and we are all at its mercy.
Like so many, I have been reflecting on what this means – for humanity, for our ideas about wellness, and for our daily lives as we move forward. Having this time to ‘pause’ has allowed many people the chance to foster their own wellbeing, and given them the chance to take a break from the demands of endless commutes, soul-crushing meetings, and the exhaustion and jet lag of constant business travel. Many, of course, will not have this luxury; they’re our front-line workers – the doctors, nurses, delivery drivers, grocery store clerks and warehouse suppliers. And many who have been furloughed or lost their jobs in the middle of this crisis are having a very tough time with the situation. But for some people, this has been a welcome breather – a chance to spend more time with family, to get out and exercise, or to think deeply about the things that really matter.
Certainly, the world will need to open up again; already, we are seeing areas like China, Hong Kong and South Korea begin to return to what we keep calling a ‘new normal’. But we’re a long way from anything resembling ‘normal,’ and I’m not really sure we should be thinking of it in those terms. This is a time of change, of transformation, and as such, it is also a time of impermanence; this is the in-between time, where we have the space to create a change in perspective so that we can all move forward with a collective new approach. So what does life after the virus look like – and more importantly, how has it influenced the wellness space and the way we think about mind, body, and spirit? How will it change our personal values and how we live our lives?
There is no doubt that this ‘pause’ has brought us back to a simpler way of life. In the process, it has brought the global economy to its knees – jobs have disappeared overnight, businesses have shuttered, and thousands of people have lost their lives. But it has also brought us ample time and headspace to contemplate, analyze, brainstorm, connect, rest, catch up with ourselves, and perhaps most importantly, reflect on our lives and the world we live in. The past few weeks have already changed so much, but the greatest transformation from this pandemic is that of perspective – we now have a rare chance to think about what we value, what we need, and what we want the world to look like as we transition on to this next phase in history.
Quality Time
“There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence to which the idealist most easily succumbs: activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. ... The frenzy of our activism neutralizes our work for peace.”
- Thomas Merton
In our pre-Covid day-to-day lives, time was a luxury. Time is something we would catch up on over the weekends, or on vacation, or maybe when we got sick – though often we’d get sick because we hadn’t taken the time, and even then, we’d say to ourselves “I don’t have time to get sick.” Now, we have more time than we know what to do with. We have space to think about new perspectives (although not always clearly), time to spend with our families, time to connect through video apps, time to recharge and rest, and time to appreciate the ‘extra’ stint that we are so blessed to have.
But now that we suddenly have so much more time, our perspective on time has also changed. We’re conscious of the way we use time – and the ways we wasted it before. There’s a new focus on ‘time well spent,’ as people around the world try new things they’ve always wanted to – gardening, getting fit, learning a musical instrument. We’re building our skills and knowledge, spending quality time with our families, helping out in our communities, reaching out to our elderly neighbours. And despite the fact that we’re in isolation all over the world, we’re finding new ways to connect with people and share in each other’s joy.
We’re scouring the internet to find new workout plans, new ways to move the body, new tools to deal with the anxiety and stress or to find ways to free the mind, sleep better and cope with the current circumstances. This is an opportune time to nurture our spiritual life, to deepen our presence with others and ourselves. When we become more connected to ourselves, we appreciate the simple things in life; we become more humbled and appreciative. We step out of our heads and into the present moment, smelling flowers, spending quality time with our families, and being content with the silence.
For many of us, this has been a challenging time. But the fast-paced life we were all living was not sustainable – not just for us, but for the future of the planet. Some people will come out of this living life to the fullest, getting out and enjoying life; some will work differently, slowing down and taking more time to do the things they enjoy, committed to living a more balanced life. There will also be those who will gladly go back to pushing the long stressful days, as this is what feels good to them. But regardless, the time we have been granted is helping us create a stronger awareness for a more sustainable, balanced lifestyle with others and with a deeper being.
A Shift in Gratitude
“The choice for gratitude rarely comes without some real effort. But each time I make it, the next choice is a little easier, a little freer, a little less self-conscious.”
- Henri Nouwen
Many people practice gratitude as a conscious choice, making it part of their day-to-day life. Gratitude welcomes life’s gifts; it is an attitude committed to being thankful for the things in life we have, however small. Gratitude helps us connect with people on an emotional level, makes us feel good, promotes health and happiness and connects us to a fuller, more present spirit. Gratitude is also infectious, and its ripple effect helps us focus less on what we lack, and more on the simple things life offers – shelter, food, the birds!
The world has experienced an innate shift, and many have focused on a form of gratitude to help navigate this time, choosing to look at all of the good that has come of this virus, from lowered pollution levels to extended time with family and a newfound appreciation of the importance of community and connection. There has been an awakening to the power of gratitude in these times, which has helped transform a time of doom and gloom into one of thankfulness, and that is a feeling many will want to hold on to.
Mindful Living: The Power of Prayer and Intention
“Be the silent watcher of your thoughts and behavior. You are beneath the thinker. You are the stillness beneath the mental noise. You are the love and joy beneath the pain.”
- Eckhart Tolle
When a crisis arises, people are called to prayer. That can mean many things to different people, whether that’s praying if someone we love is sick, or meditating to live life with more intention. Meditation is an ever-evolving consciousness, and an awakening of the heart and mind. It has been shown to enhance emotional resilience and boost immunity, and allows us to tap into a natural source of intelligence, resulting in inner freedom.
The practice of prayer and meditation has been quickly brought to the forefront of many people’s lives in the midst of Covid-19. People have connected globally through virtual prayer, meditation, and togetherness led by all levels of experts – all with the intention of support. In times of trouble, people need something to reach out to, a feeling of a higher power for good to support and guide them. Together, the world has cultivated a strong attitude of hope, and a collective intention to respond to this crisis with love and compassion – from helping the elderly and vulnerable, to cheering our front-line medical workers. These are the seeds of love and wisdom that have been planted for our future.
Conscious Consumerism
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in”
- Greek Proverb
Even prior to COVID-19, the world was slowly becoming aware of how things like a vegan lifestyle, eco- friendly clothing, and limiting the use of plastics could help work toward a more eco-friendly world and a cleaner carbon footprint. This started with individuals consciously choosing to live a more purposeful life, but quickly made its way to the boardrooms of the biggest companies in hospitality. Now, as Covid-19 has forced so many people to live simply – and often with limited funds – the idea of ‘want’ versus ‘need’ brings an entirely new perspective on conscious consumerism.
In the past month we have experienced what it is like not to have our every desire indulged – not only can we not travel or go out to eat, we also might not be able to find our choice of food at the store. For the near future, this will continue, and the luxuries, delicacies and abundance we are used to having at our fingertips will be replaced by a contentment for what we have, with the occasional desire to treat ourselves. We’ve gotten used to asking, ‘Do I really need it? Can I go without that?’ This will stay with us long past the crisis, with consumers scrutinizing every dollar they spend.
Compassion and Humanitarianism
“Compassion can be described as letting ourselves be touched by the vulnerability and suffering that is within ourselves and all beings. The full flowering of compassion also includes action: Not only do we attune to the presence of suffering, we respond to it.”
- Tara Brach
So many of us want to do more or give more, but we haven’t had the time to do so. The entire world is going through something together; we have lost our self-identity and the feeling of purpose in our lives, and material things have lost their importance. We are collectively reaching for a deeper purpose and helping others in our community, from the elderly to the medical teams. But at the same time, we are helping ourselves.
One example of this is at Accor, where vulnerable people – including victims of domestic abuse and the homeless, as well as medical workers who need to self-isolate from their families – are being housed in unused hotel rooms in all around the globe. We all have an opportunity to transform suffering and respond with compassion to this crisis, and do the right thing. On a much broader level, we begin to see the importance of community through circles of support and the way we engage in conscious relationships. As Mark Groves said, ‘We don’t strengthen in isolation, we strengthen in community.’
The world has responded to this crisis with compassion and love – singing together from balconies, applauding our healthcare teams, volunteering in record numbers. This movement will continue, and will strengthen as time goes on; we’ll see more people dedicate time to work with charities and help people get back on their feet. There is an invitation waiting from this global suffering to create a more compassionate world.
Adaptability
“Everything has a beginning and an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.”
- Jack Kornfield
When disruptions occur, they are followed by a wave of possibility, and an innate desire to empower one another through unity. This crisis has also forced us to adapt, often overnight, to entirely new ways of doing things. Parents have been suddenly faced with home-schooling their children while working from home, happy hours now take place over Zoom video calls, and birthdays are celebrated with drive-by greetings from a safe distance.
So many wellness practitioners and fitness trainers adapted quickly to this crisis, engaging with their regular audiences, converting to online experiences, and sharing their classroom instruction, some by donation and some with a nominal fee to help keep their business afloat. Both instructors and students have had to adapt overnight to online classes – a shock to many who were so dependent on face-to-face classes – but the successful ones have done exactly that, even adding new students desperate for anything to help their physical and mental wellbeing.
But this is not just limited to the wellness sector; entrepreneurs and small businesses have had to act quickly to rethink their businesses, shifting from in- person retailers to door-to-door couriers. Local restaurants moved from welcoming their patrons for a night out to offering pre-cooked meals for home delivery or connecting their former guests with suppliers for much-needed items like fresh produce. Worldwide, companies have graciously leaned into the wisdom behind uncertainty and responded with love.
This pandemic has tested us all in ways that we haven’t even recognized yet, and has shown us that what we think we can or can’t handle is often not true. In fact, the choice is ours in terms of how we choose to deal with it.
Human Connection and an Increase in Touch Experiences
“Too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
- Leo Buscaglia
Not being able to hug, kiss or shake someone’s hand – normal greetings we have taken for granted – is taking its toll. For those lucky enough to have a family, a partner or even a pet, the idea of touch is not altogether missing during this time. But for those plenty who are experiencing lockdown on their own, the absence of touch is extremely pronounced and one of the toughest hurdles to get through.
Touch can give so many benefits, from comforting someone when they are sad or stressed, to patting them on the back when you are happy, to simply holding someone’s hand. Touch is the ability to communicate non-verbally, and connects us to a deeper layer of emotions. Research has shown that hugging helps lower stress levels, decrease blood pressure, fight depression and give the immune system a boost. In advance of the lockdown, animal shelters emptied, as people yearned for a furry friend and some comfort. When this ends, and when people feel safe again to be close to others, there will be a greater appreciation for touch, and a need for human contact in many different forms. When the barriers come down and people move into a space of safety, the power of human connection will be more meaningful than ever before.
Resilience
“Grief is essential for resilience; connecting with our emotions and reconnecting with ourselves allows us to see what is happening on a deeper level”
- Tara Brach
Covid-19 has paved the way for our own unique understanding of wellbeing. When we consider ways to nurture our emotional wellbeing, restore and rebuild the immune system, and support an overactive nervous system, we turn to the values of human connection – connection to self and connection to community. These value systems support our wellbeing and are the roots of stability during stormy times. Personal values have now returned for their encore, and the opportunity to more clearly define what wellness really means to us as individuals. Resilience has always been an important component of wellness, but in the midst of this, it will be what gets us through. As we look to the future, resilience will become an ever more vital skill to possess, and people will seek new ways to boost their own resilience.
Resilience as we know it is the ability to recover quickly from difficult situations. Right now is a good time to strengthen our resilience. When we are mentally and physically exhausted and our overactive minds find it hard to quiet, the habitual patterns of thought keep us from our own emotional freedom. Resilience requires recovery, and freedom from the constant analyzing, searching and working at all hours of the day. We have a chance now to simply rest, free from all distractions and thought. We have the opportunity to reflect on how what is happening with this crisis can help us grow and weather the storm. As many have said, ‘The saddest thing to come of this is if we leave unchanged.’
