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Living with the ‘new normal’ during COVID-19 is probably one of the hardest challenges we have had to face this year. Feelings of grief, anger, depression, stress, and isolation are not uncommon during this time, and whether your life has changed drastically, or you have felt a generalized sense of pressure due to rapidly changing world events it can be difficult to look beyond current feelings of despair and hopelessness.
To thrive in our lives these days, we need to adopt small daily habits to uplift us and give us hope, to build an air of positivity and joy, we need to look for the silver lining. That can start with looking inwards and feeling grateful. An attitude of gratitude, making a conscious effort to regularly count your blessings can enhance your mental and physical wellbeing. Regularly expressing gratitude to others, or even to yourself, can help you stay positive, increase your life satisfaction, and build mental resilience to help you overcome any challenges that come your way.
Studies have shown that practicing gratitude has a positive effect in helping people manage their stress, and people who regularly expressed gratitude took better care of themselves mentally and physically, which improved their immune system.
Keep a gratitude journal to write down two to three things you are grateful for every day, or try to express gratitude to your family, friends, and the people you work with. Try incorporating gratitude into your daily habits and keep reminders so that this becomes second nature to you. You will automatically start to see the silver lining to the challenges you are dealing with.
Dr. Ahmed Almai, a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist advises: “Negative self-talk can affect your life in many ways. Be optimistic, show gratitude for everything you have and life will be happier.”
At this moment you might be thinking, “how could there be a silver lining to COVID-19?”. Well, if you can’t think of any, let’s hear from some of our JHAH Heroes who are working on the frontlines and behind the scenes of this pandemic.
Dr. Ali Mollah, Physician Manager at the JHAH Abqaiq Primary Care shared what he learned during this pandemic, “COVID-19 has been a life-changing experience, it taught me to prioritize closeness in relationships and an enhanced capacity for loving my family and friends; to appreciate the divinely gifted life privileges that I had taken for granted; to value time and cherish the blissful memories. It allowed me to grow, to care, to share and empathize with my patients, family, and friends, to remain positive despite uncertainties, and to endure in the face of fear. And above all to appreciate life and trust Allah.”
Sarah Palmer, JHAH Communications Manager, discovered how creative her team could be and became closer to her extended family. “When my team members worked from home during lockdown they were so innovative and committed to the cause. For example, they organized photo shoots of their family members’ Video Visit appointments (with their permission) to publicize Telehealth to our community. I also relied on my extended family to support my daughter who is in boarding school in the U.K. and although it has been difficult that closeness will outlast the pandemic.”
Suha Al Amoudi, JHAH Clinical Administrator at the Laboratory Department appreciates the colleagues she worked with to tackle the challenges that came with COVID-19, “Although this pandemic is difficult, it has taught us to be more appreciative. I appreciate my colleagues who have worked tirelessly to reduce stress and fear in the community. We faced many challenges during COVID-19. Our biggest challenge was working on accurate testing with a fast turnaround time. It was hard work, which took thousands of hours, but it was worth it to reduce stress and fear in the community.”
Dr. Jaffar Al-Tawfiq, JHAH COVID-19 Incident Commander and Director of infection Control, felt a sense of community and appreciation, stating that, “being on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, it is rewarding to know how my colleagues valued and respected the experience and knowledge that I had accumulated over the years in infectious disease, and infection prevention and control. I felt a sense of community and comradery as we all united in the fight against this pandemic. It has been a difficult time, but with the support of my family and peers, I have a duty to contribute to JHAH’s noble mission of keeping our community and patients safe and a duty to contribute nationally and internationally with the aim to defeat this pandemic. I had gained valuable lessons during this time, and I know we all will come out of this experience stronger, wiser, and more thankful.”
COVID-19 made me realize that we are stronger than we thought, it taught me resilience, strength, and courage
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, I always enjoyed my monthly facial or my daily coffee runs, which I thought I could never live without
The pandemic turned my reality upside down. Now I realize that what is truly important in my life circulates around family, health, and happiness. Everything else is secondary
COVID-19 made me realize that I am stronger than I thought. It taught me resilience and courage, and that being mindful and empathetic can help us survive
Before COVID-19, I took so many things for granted, a simple walk, dinner out with friends, family gatherings, and everyday routines. It’s sad to say that it took a global pandemic like COVID-19 to shake me out of the deep negative slumber I was in, to make me realize how lucky I was and how good I had it. I have become a more positive person by realizing that at any second our lives can change and the liberties or people we took for granted could be gone
Humor is a way to ease life’s daily stressors, it is a good method to help overcome difficult times, reflecting on that, one of our introverted readers shared that
I have been preparing for social distancing my entire life, and now, thanks to COVID-19, everyone else is too
Along with practicing gratitude, staying safe and vigilant is important, COVID-19 is still prevalent. Remember to continue to abide by the 3Ws: Wash your hands, Wear your mask, and Watch your distance. Discover more COVID-19 prevention measures and guidelines.
If you are suffering from feelings of depression, stress, or isolation, our “Mental Health Tool Kit” can be helpful.