“The Global Health Data Exchange estimates 251 to 310 million people worldwide suffer from depression,” according to worldpopulationreview.com. For the curious at heart, The Exchange shares a percentage per country chart: Depression Rates by Country 2021.
As we continue to be inundated with information about COVID, must isolate and withdraw from social activities, and essentially become “one-man islands,” the numbers are not that difficult to grasp.
Living on “pins and needles” with the anxiety and fear about contracting COVID is yet another huge psychosocial stressor. Of utmost concern is the risk of the loss of hope and “Learned Hopelessness” that we, not only as individuals, but as a society, face. Whether a “believer” or not, one must admit that “hope” is an essential ingredient for individuals and societies to thrive.
How are you maintaining and sustaining your spirituality and hope in your inner and outer worlds through the present Chaos?
This holiday, I decided to change it up and attend a less structured type of church service than what my own faith dictates. I have to tell you, it made a world of difference in my holiday, and it was very uplifting.
Being among kindred spirits definitely has its rewards. It’s amazing how one small change can have such a monumental effect on one’s psyche and how one small external event can change your perspective.
Some supportive suggestions
Mental Health America (MHA) offers supportive suggestions for changes of perspective and mindsets that can foster and maintain your spirituality and hope through chaos:
- (Ask yourself)—What are you hopeful for?
- Remind yourself that this isn’t forever
- Look ahead to post-pandemic times
- Control what you can
- Turn to faith and spirituality
- Combat your negative thoughts
- Make time for fun
“Look ahead to post-pandemic times” can help reframe a negative mindset and restore a sense of hope. Making time for fun reminds us that we are in control of some things in our lives, thereby making us feel less hopeless. Of course, there are many other successful self-care strategies one can engage in:
- Take a walk outdoors.
- Read a book.
- Take an online course for self-improvement. There are plenty of them on Eventbrite, which is largely free.
- Learn a new skill or brush up on an old skill.
- Take up a craft or return to an old hobby.
- Investigate and practice meditation.
- Stay in communication with others.
- Extend your friend circle, virtually and otherwise.
- Worry only about that which you can control, and not about that which you cannot—obsessing only makes things worse and leaves you with a loss of hope.
- Talk with others. Share your feelings. You are bound to find out that others feel likewise. Brainstorm ideas to overcome boredom, rather than simply complaining about boredom.
- Take a long drive, if you drive.
- Surround yourself with positive people. Negative people and situations will attack your sense of hope about the longevity of this crisis.
- Plan for what you intend to do post-COVID.
- If you are struggling and angry, start a journal and offload your negative thoughts and feelings onto paper. Then review them and ask yourself what you can and cannot control. Determine if a change in your behaviour is needed.
- If you are of faith, as MHA suggests, turn to faith and your spirituality. Continue to attend worship services, even if they must be virtual.
Above all, stick to positive self-talk. Negative self-talk only exacerbates the feeling of loss and stymies hope. If you are struggling with something and would like to talk to others, but are isolated, do not rule out attending an online support group.
Believe in yourself and others
How do you regain hope when you feel there may be none? Start by believing in yourself and your power to adapt, change and endure. Realize that currently, change is inevitable, and be open to the notion rather than being bogged down by the feeling of oppression. Be supportive to others who may be struggling more than you. Maintain your sense of compassion. You never know when it will be needed in turn.
If you are close to your family, believe in them and talk to them about your feelings of despair. If you are working, believe in your co-workers. Believe that things will ultimately get better, and that eventually, COVID will become manageable and/or hopefully end. Because, ultimately, it will.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
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image 1 Christopher “Selomon” Closson from Pixabay 2 courtesy of author
