The current pandemic has dealt an unforeseen blow on global well-being. More than 26 million people infected and over 880,000 deaths brings grim comparisons to the Spanish flu epidemic a century ago. Many businesses had to close, productivity has contracted by more than a third, there is worldwide increase in professional stagnation, psychological depression, frustration, family violence, and even suicides.
The medical community is at the receiving end in the frontline dealing with infected patients and longer working hours. In some parts of the world, lack of support and protective equipment add to the challenges. Many young surgeons have also been handicapped by loss of training opportunities, lack of new job openings, and postponement of fellowship and professional opportunities.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed. Our AO Spine International Chairperson S. Rajasekaran emphasizes it is important to, not only to stay afloat, but also keep mentally and physically strong so that we bounce back. Rajasekaran shares his tips for managing COVID blues:
The pandemic has lasted long, far beyond the initial prediction of the disease fading away in a few weeks. It is important to remember the universal truth, that nothing is permanent, and this, too, will pass. We should build positivity in our minds, as science has shown that panic and worry that a situation sets in our mind gets dispelled gradually. We can bear the hardest of times when we know that there is a better tomorrow waiting for us.
With professional commitments decreasing, more free time, kids out of school, spouses out of work or working from home, routines have become topsy-turvy. It would bring a lot of stability to our minds and lives, if we keep our waking times, mealtimes, work, and daily routines as consistent as possible. This will give our family a sense of consistency, too.
While we cannot avoid challenges in life, we can choose how we face them. Seeing things as a “challenge” brings “a game” to the situation and augments our coping powers, while viewing the situation as a “threat” can lead to a fear, fatigue, and resignation.
Celebrating the positives and practicing positive coping will help. This means that whatever we do, our activities will add positivity to our mind and life. Talking to people with a positive mind frame, reading articles and news items depicting positive human engagement and success, seeing movies with a positive theme, and avoiding activities which would increase negativity will do a lot of good.
A highly positive attitude even in the most negative of times has been the single hallmark of all human endeavors that have helped overcome difficulties.
News and social media are saturating us with coronavirus updates that can fill us with negative thoughts. While staying informed, it is important to restrict media exposure to a couple of times a day and to utilize only trusted news sources. If you must follow the media for relaxation, make sure that you watch something that is uplifting and brings positive thoughts.
While we do not have control over the levels of lockdown enforced by authorities, “personal lockdown” is an individual option to be avoided. Loneliness is one of the biggest concerns of lockdown with potential physical and mental implications. Increased leisure time can be used to call up a friend, a relative, or a professional contact whom we have not spoken to in a while, and to augment relationships with our family members.
There is an important need to remain strong both mentally and physically during the pandemic, as physical and mental well-being have a positive impact in avoiding depression, fatigue, anger, and loss of vigor. Physical health is built through healthy and clean living and healthy foods like fresh green salads are known to build immunity; while alcohol and substance use that are known to reduce immunity should be completely avoided. Meditation, mindfulness, and yoga are proven ways to improve mental health and are strongly encouraged.
The Corona virus has created a ‘new normal’ for months or even years to come. While this has thrown a lot of challenges our way, it has also provided new opportunities by giving us time as never before. It has made us look inwards and realize the value of life and family rather than the ever-increasing consumerism and materialism.
Suddenly, there is a lot of time for doing things that were put on hold or neglected for too long.
This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships with family, relatives, friends, and social contacts—bearing in mind the required social distancing guidelines. Activities like music or reading can add to the much-needed happiness and wellbeing. Learning something new in your profession or of personal interest will help.
Professionally, most of us have been consumed by our busy schedules and have lagged behind with our reading, training, and teaching. Now is the time to learn and the time to teach. Many academic pursuits or research projects that were left hanging for want of time can be completed successfully.
S. Rajasekaran
