Before Covid, taking time out was viewed as a lifestyle choice. Many saw it as a chance to unplug, an antidote to living a busy life. But when solitude is forced and you're not comfortable with it, that's when it's time to redefine your health and mental wellness. In Covid, without the usual distractions, many found themselves face-to-face with neglected emotions, emotions they'd not dealt with. Exploring these difficult emotions are uncomfortable, but it is necessary for building true emotional resilience and supporting mental wellbeing.

Lasting Effects

Since the pandemic started it has made us more aware of our internal dialogue, the stories we tell ourselves. But mental wellness is something you have to continue to work on. As lockdown finished and people slowly got back into their lives, many expected a return to emotional wellness. But mental wellness doesn’t reset overnight. For some, re-engaging back into society after lockdown couldn't come soon enough. For others, it sparked anxiety – the fear of more exposure, the pressure of re-adapting, having to cope with illness around long-covid. It's 5 years since the start of the pandemic and it's clear that wellness overall is still a continuous, evolving process.

Moving Forward with Compassion

Covid-19 has highlighted the fragility of mental wellness. We now do better in talking about 'things'. Anxiety, depression, and emotional fatigue have become less stigmatised, as more people are still affected. 

Conclusion

Perhaps the greatest takeaway from Covid-19 is that mental wellness cannot and should not be separated from the fabric of our lives. It's something we should continue to deal with daily. By learning to recognise and deal with your emotional and physical needs, you can integrate wellness into your everyday life – as a sustainable practice