Mental health during a Pandemic
One of the interesting symptoms of quarantine is its implication for the maxim “you become the company you keep.” Forced to isolate and unable to visit gyms, bars, or other establishments one might regularly frequent, we are left without the influence that continuing to visit those places would have on us.
Instead, we are left to keep ourselves company and many of us are finding that our own company is insufficient to drive our positive habits. For example, the act of leaving one’s house to go to the gym, seeing other people motivated to work out, even ogling the opposite sex and wanting to look good for them despite the fact that you will never talk to them can all have a positive impact on working out. Removing those elements, one simply isn’t motivated to work out from home.
As much as we want to believe in our willpower to form and maintain good habits and self-actualize, our environment actually plays a huge factor. It follows that we should strive to foster such an environment for ourselves as much as it’s in our power to do so. Actively. Otherwise we risk succumbing to the saudade of the Quarantine Blues – telling ourselves that we’ll revert back to our positive habits and the way we want to live once it’s over – whatever that means. But doing so neglects the here and now. We don’t know how long things will remain the way they are – especially since numerous people indulge socially irresponsible behavior. To survive is inadequate. We all want to thrive. That starts with being good company to yourself.
In these times, when social distancing precludes seeking out company or company seeking you, it’s especially important to take inventory of your goals, mental health, and environment. Of the things within your wherewithal to change for the better, take steps to do so. And the others – knowing you can do nothing, they will burden you less. As the Stoics would say, “bear and forebear.” But you must take this responsibility. While Covid-19 is not your fault, it is your responsibility to direct how you respond to it – like a ship captain faced with an unwelcome tempest. Steer your own ship. The seas will rage on until they calm of their own accord. But in the meantime, you must steer. Be the company you wish to keep. Be a light to yourself in dark times. Your future self will thank you.
The preceding post is an opinion piece from Ari Stillman. If you find yourself struggling with mental health during this time, please check out the following resources: