“One of the most difficult times of my life.” Raise your hand if you have not recently heard this phrase from friends or relatives or have found yourself saying or thinking it firsthand.
Anxiety, apathy, a widespread sense of loss and distrust are among the most shared feelings of this period.
The bombardment of screamed news and the endless controversy over the vaccine theme dividing society into two factions (Yes and NO-VAX) creates unsustainable tensions that add to all the difficulties we have been living with for about 600 days now, since the first case of Covid-19 was identified in Italy.
Since then nothing has been the same again and the much desired normality is a concept that will have to be profoundly revised to begin building the foundations for the future.
In fact, due to the effects of the pandemic on health, social habits and the world economy, a syndemia is developing: that is, the epidemic is not just health care, but has economic, emotional and cultural repercussions such as to act as an unprecedented multiplier of mental illness.
According to what was reported by theWorld Health Organization, mental health is one of the most neglected areas on the public agenda, despite approx 60% of the global population is suffering emotionally, according to data reported by Hans Kluge, WHO EU director.
The Covid-19 pandemic is continuing to aggravate the state of the mental health of people; both of those who have had Covid and are cured (Long Covid-19 Tail), and the majority of other people who have indirectly experienced and continue to experience this state of suspension.
Long Covid anxiety has generated anxiety, insomnia, depression and eating disorders and is estimated in 10 billion the total cost just for the treatment of depressive syndromes generated by the pandemic (Source: Coop 2021 Report).
The studies published by scientific journals in Italy and abroad leave little doubt about the enormity of the phenomenon. With the pandemic, mental depression affects more than 30% of the population (in normal times it settles at 10%). In our country they come to calculate 18 million people affected according to the San Camillo Hospital in Rome.
The WHO, following the effects of the pandemic, no longer speaks so much about GDP, but about well-being of people, or quality of life index, such as most significant indicator, a sign that times are changing. And always the WHO has recently started suggest some behaviors to help achieve a greater state of well-being; among these he has included sporting activities, preferably practiced in the open air, and la mindfulness.
The latter can really become the tool to be used to regain an emotional balance, a clearer mind and, consequently, the resources necessary to overcome adversity with a calm soul and greater resilience.
“If we can’t change reality immediately, especially when it’s confused and unpredictable, we can change the relationship we have with emotions that destabilize us and make it even more difficult to manage. By staying in that free zone – the only controllable one – which is the present, we can begin to know them a little more, these dark emotions of ours, and do it with curious kindness rather than with a critical spirit and aversion. In this way, by gently modifying the state of internal clarity, even the outside is perceived as more manageable, less oppressive and conditioning “, he comments Grace Pallagrosi, expert in meditation and mindfulness, student of great masters of different Buddhist traditions – including Love Nhat Hanh e Lama Champa Monlam – and author of the best seller Easy meditation for busy humans and all Mindfulness podcasts featured on Storytel.
In addition to this the expert pointed out to us five valuable tips to follow in order to remain as centered as possible even in moments of inner and outer chaos. Find them below.
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