Coronavirus: Staying Connected and Maintaining Mental Wellness Through Trying Times

Nov 26

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Melissa's perspective Humans are social beings; COVID-19 has made live social interaction dangerous. Luckily, up until now, I have still been able to go to in-person rotations. But being on vacation this month, I can’t escape how difficult this pandemic really is. Given that I have no required curriculum and an excess of time right now, I find myself spending more time reading the news and viewing social media. I wish I had perfected a recipe for mental wellness during these seemingly endless months of isolation, but I am still working on it. Staying connected during COVID times is easier said than done. My mother lives alone, in a different state, and is not very tech-savvy - she doesn’t even have an internet service provider or smartphone - so connecting with her can be challenging. We have both learned to be comfortable with a simple weekly phone call, even prior to COVID-19, but it’s not the same as being there, especially with the holidays fast approaching. Connecting with other friends and other loved ones have been mostly over video platforms. Even though it is not the same as visits in person, this has been incredibly helpful. Brief outings for takeout coffee, before the statewide freeze, trips to the dog park, and walks have broken up the monotonous home-based routine. Aside from catching up with loved ones, I have also found regular exercise to be crucial at this time. Even little things have been so important for wellness lately like drinking tea, and really savoring it, or cooking comfort foods (I’m looking at you meatloaf and mashed potatoes). I spend a lot of time doing silly things like watching my dog do dog things. And while none of this fixes the long months of isolation and uncertainty, each little thing is a desperately needed reprieve. Ashley's perspectiveCoronavirus.This word used to resemble one of a million categories of virus we had to learn about in medical school. Its name always stuck out to me, as corona literally translates as “crown”, which is fitting when looking at this virus under a microscope. Who knew, that 3 short years after first learning about the “crown virus”, it would be the virus to transform the world I once knew. The world we all once knew. It would almost be funny, if it weren’t so devastating. Here we are, November 26, and the state of the world is no different than it was back in March. Back in March, I was taken off of my medical school rotations and moved to an online curriculum: this was completely isolating. Today, I feel privileged to be able to partake in a Cardiology rotation, but everything has changed: everyone must remain 6 feet apart at all times, and masks/ face shields are required when talking to every patient. COVID-19 is always on everyone’s mind, and everyone is worried. Mirroring Melissa, by nature, humans are social beings, and COVID-19 has made our need for socialization hard to come by. It’s been fascinating to see the evolution of medicine step into the virtual world of telehealth visits. But, as people rely more and more on online platforms to stay connected to each other, to me, there is an essential component missing from interacting with loved ones online: true human connection. Although online communication and virtual hugs can never replace a big bear hug from my dad, I am thankful that technology has evolved enough to allow all of us to stay connected through these trying times. Zoom visits with one of my dearest friends, discussing the dichotomy of qualms and excitements that come along with 4th year of medical school, to social distance coffee dates walking a beautiful puppy whose contagious enthusiasm rubs off on anyone who comes into contact with her, these small bouts of human connection are a lifeline that I value immensely. As much as staying connected has been a challenge, maintaining both physical and mental wellness has been as well. I think anyone who is reading this can relate, that many aspects of our lives were disrupted as a result of the pandemic. Prior to COVID-19, I had found a love for exercise, the treadmill and body pump classes in particular: I found a way to invest in myself while simultaneously, channeling stressors. So when the gyms shut down, my outlet for maintaining both physical and mental wellness was stripped from me. But, not surprisingly, the world showed its ability to adapt and come together, as everything moved to an online platform, and I was able to continue doing the things I love from home. Left and right, exercise challenges and an entire online community banned together to keep up morale and motivation. Countless beautiful and kind women, of all I will never meet, I thank you, for keeping me alive. Echoing Melissa again, as she always knows the right thing to say 😊, it’s important to recognize what wellness means to you, and to cling on to it, especially now, no matter how little it is. For me, I’d be lost without my bubble baths, chai tea from my favorite local coffee shop, warm cuddles from my cats, and listening to music or neighborhood walks with my partner. When the year 2020 began, it resembled hope and promise. What came, was something we never predicted. You are not alone in feeling disappointed. Find the things you value, and hold on to them tightly.As Thanksgiving is upon us, a holiday that is known for big family get-togethers and giving thanks, mine will consist of staying home with my wonderful partner, mother, and 3 cats. My father and the rest of my family in Las Vegas will be far away, but my heart will be with them. This has been one of the most difficult trials that the world has had to endure together in my lifetime, but we are all in this together. Take care of yourself the best that you know how. And know that you are not alone.