Representative image. News 18
Optimism about the possible end of the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly being replaced by a plethora of new challenges. With the entire world’s attention focused solely on the SARS-CoV-2 virus for the past 2 years, several other health issues unfortunately took a backseat.
Since 2020, the rapid changes in our lives and lifestyles, both personal and professional, have caused an immense amount of stress. In general, stress is not always a bad thing. A certain level of stress helps human beings to perform better.
In fact, in prehistoric man, stress was essential for survival: it determined whether one ran or fought against a potential predator. We call this ‘eustress’.
However, it is when stress is prolonged or caused by a multitude of factors, not necessarily under our control, that it becomes toxic and begins to affect health, both physical and mental.
Continuous stress leads to anxiety disorders and psychological consequences. Employees who work from home have been socially isolated, exhibited lower levels of movement, followed poor diets, consumed higher amounts of alcohol, and slept irregularly.
The burden on health infrastructure and the diversion of health care resources to manage the pandemic meant that regular medical consultations, health checks and regular medication use (in those on prescription drugs) either did not occur or were neglected.
This will re-emerge as a worsening of cardiovascular diseases. COVID-19 itself causes severe inflammation of the blood vessels, increasing the chances of developing new hypertension or vascular obstruction. An increase in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is not only inevitable, but has already begun.
A recent report citing the Cardiology Society of India states that India is now the heart disease capital of the world.
Mental health is one of the main victims of this evolving situation. Several studies have shown that mental well-being among the general population and more specifically among employees has decreased significantly.
Prolonged COVID-19 is responsible for a plethora of prolonged signs and symptoms that can cause severe debilitation, with “brain fog” being of particular concern. People with brain fog cannot concentrate at work and even everyday activities become difficult.
This only adds to the continuous attacks that new viruses, their variants, waves of infection, geopolitical conflicts, extreme weather events, etc. they continue to inflict on people’s psyches.
As the world moves toward a hybrid work model, the delicate balance between professional and personal life will need to be carefully maintained. Whether one works from the office part-time or full-time, it’s a new way to function after two years of Work from Home (WFH), and an appropriate transition period needs to be factored in. Employers must be proactive in developing strategies that address mental health and wellness challenges among employees and provide renewed wellness benefits.
Fortunately, the collective experience of the pandemic has made it easier to talk about feelings of anxiety, depression, loss, and isolation. We must not miss this opportunity to foster conversations about mental wellness.
International SOS’s dedicated Mental Wellbeing Program encompasses awareness raising, de-stigmatisation, problem identification, coping, rehabilitation and reintegration.
All employees should be encouraged to actively participate in such programs and not just passively ‘attend’ sessions. Managers must be empowered to identify early signs of psychological distress in employees. Small behavioral changes, such as not turning on video on virtual calls and remaining silent so as not to attract attention, may be the first signs to watch out for.
The pandemic is far from over. Variations and waves will continue to emerge and manifest. Noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and respiratory disease will continue to be seen. Climate change is real and it will get worse before it gets better: we have already seen severe heat waves and now a prolonged monsoon. As human beings, we are a resilient species that has endured much. We have to remain resilient.
What is resilience?
● It is the ability to recover from difficult experiences.
How does it develop?
● Focusing on one’s purpose, being adaptable and flexible, taking advantage of social support, and maintaining self-confidence are the cornerstones of resilience.
Although this seems difficult to achieve, it is not: Setting health and wellness goals for yourself and ensuring that you stick to them can help you get started on the right track. The building blocks of wellness continue to be nutrition, exercise, sleep, mindfulness, and community interaction. Rely only on trusted sources for health and wellness information. When in doubt, seek help.
Pause. Take a deep breath. And follow.
The author is the medical director for the Indian subcontinent, INTERNATIONAL SOS
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