COVID has taken a lot from people. Industries like hospitality & tourism were effectively decimated, but thankfully we are seeing a return for these sectors but I’m certain the effects of COVID for many will be long lasting. The reality is that the increase in social isolation and loneliness brought about by the introduction of physical distancing measures during the pandemic has provided an opportunity to recognise the fundamental health importance of social connection
COVID took many things from us, as individuals and at a population level – work, interaction, events etc (the list is exhaustive and, quite frankly, depressing) but another thing COVID took from us was the ability to remain connected to people easily. Many of us endured strict lockdowns and we all had to pivot to working from home, dealing (or surviving) with kids at home ALL THE TIME, making sure spaces in our homes remained functional as we needed to spend days, sometimes months, on end in our homes, we were, in a way, forced to appreciate the vital importance of social connection
I was recently having a conversation about this with a colleague, and he mentioned how important it was to address this “loss of connection” people have had due to COVID and what do about it. He works in Publishing and was saying that books/ tools that help people stay connected to those they love the most are becoming increasingly important, and people are actively seeking ways to constructively reconnect with people now.
And it got me thinking, why is this so important – but more importantly, why is it so hard? I mean pre-COVID this really wasn’t issue – or was it? It brings up the question “what could we be doing to help solve this problem?”. Because the hard truth is that many people experienced profound grief during the pandemic and whilst grief is a normal response to loss during or after a disaster or other traumatic event, we need to find ways to help people through this grief. So, what can we do?
First and fore most – Look after your mental health, as without this our ability to help others is pretty much impossible.
But here are some other ideas that might help too:
- Create routine check-ins with people – however it is safe to do so.
- Acknowledge the losses and sit with that Grief – It’s okay to be pissed about it!
- Help your kids cope with this grief – there are books that help explain loss and absence
- Celebrate the wins: Focussing on positives can help you overcome this sense of loss
- Be available to your close friends and family and ask them if they’re ok – helping others might help you too.
- Remember to take breaks/ relax, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well – track this too, to make sure you’re doing it. You must put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others, and there’s good reason for this!
- Be honest and transparent with people, don’t “sugar coat” it if you’re struggling, or someone has asked you how you are etc. Honesty is the only way people can assess the situation.
To finish, remember humans are social animals and we crave connection. As we spend more time in our homes, cut off from friends and family in a bid to stop the spread of the virus, the lack of physical touch can be mentally challenging. Maybe we think of this time not as social distancing but as physical distancing. We may be physically apart, but we need to stay socially and emotionally connected. Good luck and any comments or questions, leave them below.
Thanks again for reading,
Alyssa Kent
Resources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/grief-loss/index.html
- https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma17-5035.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/groups/families-children.html?CDC_AA_refVal=htt
- https://www.phrp.com.au/issues/june-2020-volume-30-issue-2/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-is-focusing-attention-on-loneliness-and-social-isolation/