Mask-wearing was one of the most difficult Covid-related daily adjustments. Yet bidding them farewell felt like a massive shift once again. Let’s explore the role of kindsness and the power it holds to make transitions like this one a little smoother.
It’s easy to forget, but not too long ago we needed to navigate a different kind of difficult conversation: with a loved one who wouldn’t wear a mask. The script has been flipped, but there are a few factors that remain consistent.
What we know for sure
- The pandemic was difficult for everyone.
- Change isn’t easy and we’re each on our own path to making sense of it.
- Anxiety and depression have increased by 25% across the globe, so kindness and compassion should be our default. You never know what emotional and psychological challenges someone may be facing.
Can kindness make a difference?
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, emotional intelligence (EI) took a dive. Researchers have posited that this could be due to the fact that our brains had to contend with ever-increasing feelings of loneliness, fear and isolation. This dip is significant because, unfortunately, EI is the very thing that has been shown to reduce the intensity at which an individual experiences negative emotions.
This doesn’t mean that EI helps you to avoid bad feelings entirely, just that the waves don’t hit as hard because you’re able to navigate the rough seas using emotional tools like resilience and positive self-talk. Another indispensable EI tool? Kindsness – towards others but also to yourself, so that you can show up for your community with enough in your cup.
What can kindness look like?
- Let’s talk about it
Speak to your loved ones about how they’re feeling about the post-Covid-19 reality, and let down your own walls so they can see they’re not alone. - Determine a way forward
What can you and your loved ones do to make each other feel safer? Perhaps it’s as simple as agreeing to the types of social events you attend or even continuing to wear masks in certain spaces. - Honour your word
Trust and safety go hand in hand. If you change your mind about any of the agreements you’ve made, speak to each other before altering the rules on your own.
Try these tips to boost your health
It’s normal to feel concerned now that the protective gear we’ve grown to rely on is no longer required. Keep yourself feeling strong and healthy by making sure you tick these boxes.
- Wash and sanitise your hands regularly.
- Aim to get eight hours of sleep each night.
- Stay home when you’re not feeling well.
- Eat a balanced diet and make sure you get plenty of vitamin C.
- Exercise to de-stress.
Still feeling worried?
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re struggling to adjust. Remember that you’re doing your best and that looks different every day. Change is scary, but we believe you can do hard things.
References:
- COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide [internet]. WHO. 2022 [cited 22 July 2022]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide
- Trait Emotional Intelligence and Wellbeing During the Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Meaning-Centered Coping[internet]. Frontiers. 2021 [cited 22 July 2022]. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648401/full
- Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu [internet].Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021 [cited 22 July 2022]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm
- The power of emotional intelligence and kindness skills [internet]. Cambridge Insights. 2018 [cited 22 July 2022]. Available from: https://cambridgeinsights.co.uk/the-power-of-emotional-intelligence-and-kindness-skills/
- The benefits of kindness for your wellbeing [internet]. Central test. 2020 [cited 22 July 2022]. Available from: https://www.centraltest.com/blog/benefits-kindness-your-wellbeing