Written by: Shannan Blum, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The COVID-19 Pandemic dramatically reshaped the way we lived, worked, and interacted with each other. As we now glimpse the end of this defining chapter, it's important to reflect on it’s impact on various aspects of our lives, particularly in relation to interpersonal relationships, adaptability & learning loss, personal development, and the Social Engagement System (SES).
Here’s my snapshot summary of what happened and what it means moving forward.
Social relationships
Pros: The Pandemic forced us to rethink how we connect with others. It highlighted the vital importance of our ritual gatherings such as anniversaries, graduations, births, and deaths. It forced us to find new ways of maintaining social connections, even from a “less-than-desirable” distance. Virtual gatherings and online platforms allowed us to stay connected with family and friends, even if it was limited and felt sub-par.
Cons: Social isolation became a significant issue for many of us, leading to feelings of loneliness and mental health struggles (types of anxiety and depression) for a majority of Americans. Lack of physical interaction challenged the depth of relationships, particularly for those living alone or unable to access digital platforms.
Impact: while many of us adapted, the loss of face-to-face connection negatively impacted the quality of our social connections and increased fears around being social. Anxious individuals may have felt the initial relief of not “having to go” and do social activities, but as we know with anxiety – the more it’s accommodated, the worse it actually gets.
Adaptability & learning loss
Pros: The pandemic highlighted the need for accommodating different work and learning styles. Remote work and digital education made it more feasible for individuals to minimally maintain benchmarks, and those with disabilities might have experienced improved access to employment and education opportunities. This showcased our ability to adapt quickly to new and changing circumstances.
Cons: Not all industries, institutions, or individuals had reasonable access to digital platforms which highlighted “digital disparities.” These disparities meant many were simply in a position of disadvantage. The pressure to radically and quickly change entire systems, caused increases in stress and burnout. Additionally, many individuals struggled with the motivation or attention span requirements for long periods of screen time for school/work. Not all students were able to maintain rudimentary benchmarks.
Impact: while increased screen time provided opportunities for meeting the bare minimum work and educational requirements, students in particular suffered from significant loss of learning in notable areas. This not only affected their educational progress, but also their sense of mastery, self-confidence/self-worth, and hope moving forward.
Personal development
Pros: In order to manage the limited social contact, many chose to focus on personal growth and self-care. With more time spent at home, individuals took up hobbies, bought the “Pandemic Puppy,” learned new skills, and engaged in more introspection.
Cons: The pandemic's inherent fear of illness and death, along with the physical isolation also caused huge increases in stress and anxiety levels which actually hindered personal development for many. Limited access to resources and activities made it difficult for others to explore new interests.
Impact: enormous strain occurred on the mental health systems in place, whether it was employers’ EAP, college campuses’ mental health centers, or private clinics. Demand for services skyrocketed and has persisted. The increased ability for personal development took a hit as mental health issues rose to the top and frankly, the availability of sufficient mental health providers continues to be a challenge.
Social Engagement System (SES)
The SES is part of the autonomic nervous system and plays a crucial role in how we respond to stressors. It’s our “rest-and-digest” state, our first go-to when we are met with obstacles. We reach out, are relatively safe and calm, and work to solve problems. The SES for all individuals took a huge hit during the Pandemic – unfortunately, there are no positives when it comes to this element. During the Pandemic, the limited contact with those in our inner social circles reduced our ability to get healthy, safe, in-person support. The ability to unconsciously read the look in someone’s eyes, how they smile or giggle, their breathing, etc. was significantly hindered due to the technology delay or interruption on devices. Because our autonomic nervous system strives to help us feel internally safe with this subconscious ability, having it limited can trigger chronic stress responses, increased disconnection and fear responses.
Additionally, physical safety was also impacted as domestic violence, sexual violence, and threatening behaviors such as substance abuse and eating disordered behaviors persisted. Many continued to suffer due to these experiences having been intensified during the Pandemic as limited mental health resources were available, and limited face-to-face contact existed in order to signal for help.
Overall assessment
As can be seen, the challenges brought about by the pandemic have also led to valuable insights. We now understand the essential role of social connection in maintaining mental health. The shift towards remote work has highlighted the importance of work-life balance and created more ongoing options for flexibility. Moreover, the increased focus on mental health and well-being emphasizes the need for holistic approaches to healthcare and support systems.
However, young adults who transition from high school to college to the workforce in the coming decade may face unique challenges due to their Pandemic experience. Their adaptability, honed through remote learning and digital engagement, might be an asset as workplaces evolve. But they may also struggle making up for the learning loss, maximizing in-person work cultures, and may struggle re-learning basic interpersonal networking skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as we leave the pandemic behind, it's crucial to reflect on the pros and cons of its impact. The lessons we've learned about the value of social connection, mental health, and adaptability will shape the way we approach future challenges. By understanding the impact on interpersonal relationships, personal development, education, and work, we can better prepare ourselves to navigate the post-pandemic world with resilience and a deeper appreciation for the things that truly matter.
If you want support using integrative & holistic skills while healing, please visit my my transformational coaching website or follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram and reach out for a consultation.
Shannan Blum, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Shannan is a Wholeness Coach and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 30 years experience helping individuals heal. She's worked extensively as a trauma-trained therapist helping others resolve trauma, depression, and anxiety responses. As a Wholeness Coach now, she helps individuals move beyond symptom reduction into holistic wellness, guiding them through a process of reclaiming well-being so they can finally feel consistently well. Having integrated childhood and religious trauma herself, she is skilled at guiding others toward whole-self acceptance. She uses evidence-based tools from DBT/CBT and Somatic Psychotherapy in her materials, courses, and books to help others "Reclaim, Rediscover, & Rebuild."
She recently published a series of books, "Therapy Thoughts: A 6-Month Guided Journal" for women, men, youth & non-gender and "Boundary Affirmations for Healing: Boundary Support for Women" print journal, eBook and Card Deck.
