Reflection on Covid’s Toll

In the last few months, it seems clear that there has been a resurgence in anxiety surrounding Covid. It’s no wonder—a forth surge with new variants to worry about and cases on the rise almost everywhere; it feels a bit like a repeat of the initial fear we all experienced when Covid first came into our lives. However, this round comes with just as much uncertainty, more exhaustion and even deeper depression as we wonder, Will this ever end? Will things ever return to the normal we once knew?

EMOTIONAL TOLL:

The truth is we don’t know. But no matter what comes, we need to take care of ourselves and others by keeping ourselves healthy. Most of us know the precautions against Covid that we can take physically, but what about emotionally? The strong emotions that surround Covid can be depleting. We have all experienced anxiety: What if we get Covid? What if we pass it on? What if our beliefs surrounding Covid conflict with a person we love? We have all experienced losses because of this pandemic, things like loss of time with family or work opportunities, or a friendship dissolving due to cultural clashes. In some cases, Covid has taken the health and even lives of our loved ones. 

PHYSICAL TOLL:

Covid has separated us both physically and, in some cases, politically from our friends and family for months. In the midst of our fear and anxiety, our differences seem more significant. Often when our friends or acquaintances tell us of their different worldview, we can love them in spite of it, because usually, those beliefs feel abstract. It is harder to dismiss a friend’s conflicting beliefs when it becomes evident in actions they take. Since our world is so divided on things that require action (taking vaccines and wearing masks, or refusing too) it is impossible not to take a stance. This divide can feel stressful and lonely too. We may feel the loss of friends or family in this global divide. 

I have been thinking about how we can recover and restore ourselves during an ongoing crisis. In my mind, the first step to recovering from any emotional exhaustion is to reflect on the toll it has taken. Know where you are at, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Take some time to think about how Covid has affected you and how you are really doing. Once you begin to pay attention, you may be surprised to see all the ways that Covid interferes with  your day-to-day and overall emotional wellbeing. 

If you need help getting started, consider these questions: 

• What have I lost? What am I grieving? 
• How has Covid depleted me?
• What dilemmas or anxieties am I facing? 

HOW HEALTHY  ARE YOU?

You can also check your overall health with our Health of a Christian Leader. Finding out where you are in the greater scheme of health can help you see where you should go next and what specific areas you can improve. Next week, we’ll look at how we can use this information to restore and reinvigorate ourselves.