Persisting Through Trials: 3 challenges and benefits of the pandemic

    Yesterday was Blue Monday, the so-called "saddest day of the year."  Many may argue that we have been living in a "Blue Era" since early 2020 when the COVID-19 Pandemic hit.  Activity restrictions, social distancing, and adaptation to constant health regulation changes have dominated our daily lives and are part of our "new normal."    While some complained and rebelled against the new guidelines, others  adjusted and realized the benefits.

    So what are the benefits of this pandemic, and how do you overcome the negative impacts?  

    1. We are more cautious about personal hygiene

    Perhaps the biggest benefit of this pandemic is knowing the importance of personal hygiene.  Common health practices such as handwashing and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze were followed loosely at best before the pandemic, but they are essential now as not only to keep ourselves healthy, but to prevent further spread of the virus.  We are more hesitant to openly cough or blow our nose to avoid others' presumption of us having COVID-19 symptoms.  

    2. We care more about those around us

    As much as we have to practice rules such as physical or social distancing, we are created with the sense of belonging.  Our emotional health suffer when we are forcefully alone, such as being in quarantine.  Calls to crisis centres and cases of substance abuse have risen during the pandemic partly because of the lockdowns that prevented us to be with our loved ones other than those in our immediate household, especially during special occasions.  Communication technologies such as FaceTime and Zoom Conferencing have made virtual connections possible, but we still missed the sense of physical closeness. 

    We miss others more during the pandemic because we can't see one another often.  We were happy and emotional when we could see those we hadn't seen in months after the lockdown regulations were relaxed.  We were just happy to see others in person, even those who you didn't get along well before.  Just seeing them being alive and well is already enough.  

    As the future effects of the pandemic remains uncertain, we have found more ways to keep in contact with others and cherish every encounter with them, even just a text message exchange, a brief chat over the phone, or on video conferencing platforms.  We take the time to check on others and care for their well-being to ensure that they are keeping healthy both physically and emotionally.

       3. We appreciate simple things in our daily lives more

    During the first lockdown when most businesses were closed and classes were on pause, many found it difficult to cope, as if part of their lives were destroyed.  As a sports fan, seeing major sports leagues--NHL, NBA, Euro soccer leagues, and others--suddenly shutting down was awkward and shocking.  It meant that I had to fill my sports-watching schedule with other activities.  And I did, by ranting on online chats.  

    Also, I had to find ways to continue my workout routines without the luxury of going to fitness centres during the lockdown.  As well, my social activities, such as hanging out with friends in malls or at one another's homes, were halted to avoid being infected with the virus.  Fortunately, I was already enrolled in a virtual course, and that I didn't need to work, so that minimized the negative impact.  However, those around me were forced to stay home while receiving employment subsidies as businesses were closed during the lockdown.  

    When the lockdown was lifted, it was like being released from jail.  We could see friends, go places, dine at restaurants, and attend events--despite new health measures.  Many, including myself, found extra joy in these activities.  They were happy to just be able to go to school or work, where they would stress or complain over that pre-pandemic.  I remember the thrill of going to church fellowships in person for the first time after joining them over Zoom for months.  I greeted almost everyone, and everyone greeted me, as if we've never met before.  No one wanted to leave, even though we weren't allowed to gather after fellowships.  

      I was also emotional when sports, especially hockey, resumed.  The first game was so refreshing to watch!  These, and many things that we took for granted, became enjoyable after a lockdown because we could resume our normal routines.

Conclusion 

    We're sick and tired of the pandemic.  We still long for the "previous normal" while adjusting to the "new normal" as we live with the latest Covid variant.  However, we have changed for the better as we realized the important things in life that we once took for granted.  We are also more prepared for the next lockdown, the next remote class or workday, or the next virtual get-together because we know how to face them.  We will keep one another healthy and well regardless of circumstances as we fight the pandemic together.