The COVID-19 Pandemic Turned the World on Its Head

For the past two and a half years, we have been bombarded with changes, threats, devastation, and social and political discord. Now, in late 2022, restrictions are being lifted and we are told that we can almost “get back to normal.” If things are getting better, why don’t we feel better?

This can be broken into several reasons.

1.      After over two years, we have found a new normal and returning to what once was feels like a new change.

2.      Our bodies have been in “fight or flight” mode for two years, and now that we can relax, we are catching up on feelings and processing that we didn’t have the capacity to do previously.

3.      The pandemic highlighted some of the challenges and cons of how we were living. Viewing things from a new lens led us to make changes that were needed, and we don’t want to return to status quo. We didn’t like it there, but we never slowed down to realize it.

We Have Found a New Normal

The pandemic forced us to find new ways to operate. We were placed in quarantines and lockdowns and were requested to practice social distancing. Things like going to the grocery store, grabbing dinner or drinks with friends, and even gathering with family at the holidays required adjustments or avoidance. For some, the social distancing offered a reprieve from the fast pace of life, allowing more solitude and quiet time than ever before. For others, the isolation brought loneliness and increases in depression. For others still, anxiety levels were through the roof, viewing everything as a potential threat and wondering, “What next?”

Grocery shopping, regular shopping, even takeout was handled online. Curbside pickup, contactless delivery, and packages brought to our doors replaced the need to mask up and go into public. The internet became our main source of entertainment – social media, streaming entertainment, and connecting with friends and family via Zoom or other video-enabled software. Working from home (for those who were able to do so) became normal; we settled into the idea that this was no longer a short-term problem and began creating more permanent home offices. This is our way of life now, and it has become comfortable.

Now that restrictions are lifting, employers are expecting employees to come back to the office. Restaurants are open and dining in is permitted. Stores are open and people are no longer required to wear masks. However, we have grown accustomed to our new ways of life, and many don’t want to return to the office. What once was a simple activity – having lunch with friends – now requires some thought and maybe a bit of trepidation. Perhaps wearing a mask on flights is not such a bad idea. For those who found solace in social distancing and isolation (*raises hand sheepishly*), we have social anxiety about returning to the public and seeing larger crowds of people everywhere we go.

This is another change for all of us, and not everyone is ready to give up what they have.

We Have Been in Fight or Flight Mode and Need Time to Process

The past couple of years have been nonstop in every sense of the word. The pandemic was a major factor, but there were other events that caused fear, anxiety, grief, and anger. Political discord and divisiveness reached an all-time high. With one side claiming the virus was a hoax and the other believing it was a serious medical and scientific threat, the Us vs. Them mentality spurred verbal attacks and behavior that were embarrassing at best and deadly at worst. Seeing people blatantly disregard medical guidance and recommendations from the CDC by not wearing masks, spitting, or coughing on people wearing masks, and breaking into fights in public over the need to wear a mask in privately-owned spaces, brought new levels of disappointment in humanity. Something so simple as “stay home” was too hard for us to handle, and not wanting to give up their freedom, some did the complete opposite purely to prove a point.

Over the past two years, we saw over 6.5 million people die from COVID. We watched social justice protests escalate. We went through a presidential election, bushfires and wildfires broke out across the world. Civil wars erupted in various countries, and the US saw an increase in mass shootings (in schools and in public) among many other events. We were constantly bombarded with death, negativity, and tragedy. Our bodies’ threat detection was on high alert, costing mental energy we did not even realize we were spending. Mental health screenings increased almost 500% from 2019 to 2021, with most people expressing depression, anxiety, bipolar and psychosis as the top reasons for the screening. Substance abuse also increased during the pandemic.

Though restrictions for COVID are lifting, the world is not better; however, we are able to breathe a little bit, and now that we are not on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop, we are finally able to grieve the losses of the past two years. We are playing emotional catch-up on all of the things we did not have time, energy, or mental bandwidth to handle in the heat of the moment because our bodies were in survival mode. With the increases in mental illness and substance abuse, mental health professionals are in high demand as we work through the trauma of the past two years, as well as lifelong issues that have been uncovered during this period.

The Pandemic Highlighted Some of the Negatives of How We Used to Live
During the pandemic there became an obvious distinction between the Haves and Have Nots. Those who were deemed essential were required to go into the workplace, sometimes with limited protection and no increase in resources or pay. Those who were not essential were either able to work from home or did not have to work at all. Additionally, as remote working and hybrid working became convenient, productive, and preferred, many people evaluated their careers and workplaces to determine whether it was a good fit for them. Thus, the Great Resignation was born.

Many of us who were lucky enough to work remotely realized the benefits of not having a commute, being able to throw in a load of laundry between calls, and squeeze in a walk or a workout during lunch. For those who have children, working from home provided more flexibility with caring for their kids – easier drop-offs and pick-ups, being able to have their children at home while daycares were closed, being able to step away for appointments and other events, etc. Were there challenges? Absolutely, but many of these people cannot imagine commuting to work five days a week any longer and are opting to look for a new role instead of going back to business as usual.

It's OK to not be OK

While it is unfortunate that mental health issues spiked during the pandemic, one good thing is that mental health is now a topic that is in the forefront of everyone’s minds. Businesses are considering mental health when making decisions and are including resources as part of their employee assistance programs (EAP) and even offering mental health paid time off (PTO). With the increased visibility of mental health, more people are feeling comfortable seeking assistance and getting treatment for their mental health concerns.

The societal expectations around hustle culture and burnout are no longer glorified, and with the shift away from what we used to do and how we used to be come the freedom and flexibility to be who we want. Who do you want to be?

Give Yourself Grace

Yes, the pandemic is less of a threat, but that does not mean that we must go back to the way we were. It’s okay if we’re not excited, if we’re nervous, anxious, or even depressed. It’s okay if we want to continue to have groceries delivered and work from home in pajama pants. If we still wear a mask in public, there’s nothing wrong with that. There is no timeline for processing a global pandemic or its aftereffects. Take the time you need, practice the self-care you deserve, and don’t worry if you are still grieving or processing – that’s completely normal.

What are some ways to show self-care while we adjust to our ever-changing normal? If your company offers mental health days, use them as needed. Take your paid time off (PTO) and get away from work. I know that times are hard financially for many, so even if you can’t go on a vacation, take a staycation! Disconnect from the internet, turn off your work notifications, and enjoy some quiet time at home.

You can also get outside and experience nature; go for a walk, do some gardening, sit on your porch, and enjoy the quiet. Do you have pets? Love on those babies! Spend time with your family. Call a friend to catch up and chat. Find a hobby (arts and crafts, journaling, sports, meditation, home organization, anything that makes you happy or sets your mind at ease). Catch up on a good Netflix show, read a book, or check out that podcast everyone is always talking about. Set boundaries for both work and personal obligations; you cannot pour from an empty cup, so leave work at work, say “No” when necessary, and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Lastly, but not least important, if you have the need and the means, research professional mental health resources such as a therapist, a group, medication, or even a leave of absence. At the end of the day, you need to be your number one priority and remember to give yourself the grace you would give others.

References 

Mental Health and COVID 19: Two Years After the Pandemic, Mental Health Concerns Continue to Increase. (2022, April). https://mhanational.org/mental-health-and-covid-19-two-years-after-pandemic

Substance Use Has Risen During COVID-19 Pandemic. (2022, March 15). https://www.rpc.senate.gov/policy-papers/substance-use-has-risen-during-covid-19-pandemic

Guest Blog Article Written by: Erika R. Taylor-Beck

Erika is the VP of Support and QA at Relias. She has a Bachelor's degree in Professional (Technical) Writing. Erika is passionate about people and animals. She promotes a people-first culture and believes mental health is important when building a culture.