It was easier before, even when we were unwell, you know why- maybe because we were close enough to take care of our loved ones and ask for their help too. Our existence was less disorganised because we possessed the essence of human touch and care.
It is not that humans are getting sick for the first time, neither are they amateurs at being stressed or anxious. However, there is still something very unusual about the pandemic. We as living organisms are attuned to the fact that a human body can have ailments that can be cured sometimes. The other times you might have to live with it and if it’s worse you might not.
I am not here to talk about any medical or physiological advice or speeches regarding the coronavirus, because let’s admit, that we all are tired of it. Scientists and doctors have been stretched to their physical as well as emotional limits to provide the best medication to the patients. When the world is bound to stay at home for their safety, they are those angels who are at work, continuously trying to make this bacterial world a better place for the masses.
We have also encountered few instances where we see doctors and the other medical staff cheering up the patients so that not only those medicines but the essence of real emotion and happiness can speed up their recovery. The tradition of physical proximity has been one of the major loss that has occurred after the pandemic. We have been craving that closeness while we feel vulnerable.
Covered with face masks, distanced by zoom calls we are unable to understand what the other person is going through because the non-verbal cues of communication are not expressible. We all must have been in that place where being sick was not proportionate to being isolated and lonely. We used to visit our close ones if they were not doing so well, get them flowers, sing for them and sometimes maybe we just sat with holding their hands and ensuring them that they are going to be fine soon.
To be honest, we all miss that, we cherish the idea of care, intimacy and that vibe that created a positive environment around the “not so healthy person.” As the World Health Organisation (WHO) says it loud that health is not just confined to be free of physical ailments and disease, it is a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being. If you are fine from the inside, you are surely going to handle what’s outside.
Being in good company when you are not fit helps in diagnosing the unsaid disease of negativity. When we are alone, we add up to the negative emotions and overthinking which ultimately deteriorates our health. The pandemic, its guidelines and most importantly the fear of death has kept us away from our loved ones. It is heartbreaking to see that people are not able to see and meet their beloved for the last time. The illness which used to lose its effect and vanish with just a tight hug is now sticking along. The idea of proximity has completely changed. Earlier we used to talk about how close can we go to help a person in need and now we are instructed to be as far as possible from the patient.
The precautions and guidelines are not faulty, they have just made our handicap of not being able to do anything for anyone. The aspect of proximity has affected the mental health of not only the infected individual but the whole nation. It appears as if the one who has tested positive for covid is isolated on every ground, he/she doesn’t only have to take care of the physiological health, they have to be positive and remain calm when no else can be of any help. The only thing that we can do is to be positive!
Yes, it would require a lot of courage and patience but that is how we are going to survive and come out of this havoc.
Medications can help your body to recover, but your soul needs something closer and more reliable, that is of course positivity. Try to absorb all the good things around you, try to explore what you haven’t until now. Your family might not be able to sit close to you, you will miss your friends giving you a high five but the belief that you are not alone, everyone is with you, maybe not close enough physically but their blessings and good wishes move straight from their hearts to yours. Connect to them on call, have a chit chat, dance to your favourite music, have a house party with your family.
Being in a phase of sickness doesn’t mean you forget the craze of living; this is temporary and it is going to be absolutely fine if we wish for it.
A lot has changed, there might be more, all we can do is to stay strong and never rest the idea of positive overthinking. We are fighting this together and we will surely win!