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It is in our nature to seek comfort and closeness to each other when life gets difficult or when we end up in some kind of crisis. A clear example of this was how people lined up with each other after the terrorist act in Drottninggatan in April 2017
– Many times we solve crises with hugs and being together. But in this situation with the virus it is not possible, says Per Johnsson, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Lund and continues:
– We know that there will be consequences, but the exact consequences in the long term we know nothing today. I could compare it to a gigantic study of what social isolation can bring.
We react differently
Humans are different and how we respond to the crown crisis depends a lot on how we deal with fears in general. Some have raised fears very easily, while others react with denial or suspicion of information and orders of attitude that we receive from the authorities. Many times our reaction depends on what we have in our luggage, what we have experienced in life.
Photo: Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
We have seen it on various news channels, people who seem to take the urge to maintain social distance quite easily, and not only young people, but also many older people, behave that way. The fact that young people react as they do may not be so surprising, after all, young people are at a lower risk of becoming seriously ill in covid-19, and that perhaps young people should consider themselves immortal. But why do elders respond the way they do?
– A possible explanation for at least the reactions of older people, those that have emerged a little over 80 years ago, could be that they simply feel that they do not have time to stop for half a year, because it can be a considerable time. part of the remaining time in life. They want to live here and now and take advantage of all opportunities as long as they are healthy, says Per Johnsson.
Uncertainty is a tough nut to crack
Uncertainty, without knowing how long we will have to live with different restrictions, affects us negatively. We have a much easier time coping with difficulties if we know there is an end. Clear boundaries make it easy and hope plays a role.
– Uncertainty cuts the edge of the jump! How can I maintain hope if I don’t know how long I have to endure?
As an example of the important role of hope, Per Johnsson refers to what survivors of concentration camps have told us. On the importance of finding at least one ray of hope and meaning in existence. Finding something small that they could control was what helped them survive.
Get clear procedures
The feeling of control is extremely important to us humans and this pandemic is one of the most uncontrollable we have experienced in a long time. If we cannot control the virus, we need to gain control in another way.
– Get clear routines, says Per Johnsson. Routines always help when nothing else can be controlled. Get as many routines as possible and stick to them.
He believes that routines have a sense of existence, that you can later inform yourself that you have filled the day with something meaningful. When working from home, it can be important to work at certain times, eat at certain times, take breaks, and make a clear difference between work and leisure. It can also be important to be a little careful with yourself, dress appropriately and not stay in your pajamas, just get ready for a video conference.
Spend time digitally
We are social beings and we know that loneliness affects us both physically and mentally. But today most of us have the opportunity to socialize digitally, as we can hear and see each other. It is important that we communicate with our friends and loved ones, and that we do so frequently, more frequently than usual.
When the interview was conducted before the Easter weekend, Per Johnsson told him that his family was planning a digital Easter dinner when they unfortunately can’t meet in the same place this Easter.
– We have decided what to eat, everyone will cook their roast lamb, which we will then eat together, even if we are in different places.
Stay informed – at certain times
We are bombarded with news and messages about the covid-19 pandemic, both in the media and on various social platforms. You don’t run away. How should we stay informed and up to date without drowning in the endless stream of updates?
– Get routines here too. Be sure to choose trusted channels and search for news at specific times. Do something else in between, it’s important with the variation and you don’t get caught up in the face of the avalanche of news, says Per Johnsson and continues:
– Do not end the day watching the news, much of what is reported relates to our fears and is not a good way to end the day. Do something to counteract this, for example, read a good book before falling asleep.
Text: Eva Bartonek Roxå
The article was first published in Science & Health, a popular scientific website for the University of Lund, the University of Malmö and the Skåne Region.
