Finding The Pandemic’s Silver Linings

The pandemic has harmed people around the globe, causing losses of routines, jobs and lives. Many Americans, especially older adults, have also suffered.

In response, U.S. rates of depression, anxiety and substance use have risen. But this has also been a time when the busy pace of life has slowed for many of us, allowing us to think about what matters most to us.

Because we sometimes hesitate nowadays to see one another in person, we are using video platforms to regularly touch base with the people most important to us. Some of us have started house projects, cooked new recipes or begun reading again. Others have used the increased time at home to reconnect with nature through gardening or return to playing the piano. These are the silver linings to this long-lasting health crisis.

During this difficult time, how can we each find new sources of hope and meaning and even discover new things to be grateful for? Here are some ideas;

Cherish your relationships:

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. The people we can't see in person are now more precious to us. Think about who's in your “starting 5”—the 5 most important people in your life. Using video is only one way of connecting with them. Writing an old-fashioned letter by hand and mailing it in an old-fashioned stamped envelope is another way that will make a big impression on them. Now is a good time to let them know how much they matter to you.

Practice home appreciation:

Being stuck in our houses or apartments has given many of us cabin-fever at times. But we also are appreciating the comforts of home. It is a blessing to have a safe space with a favorite armchair and well-worn couch. It is a joy to feel secure in an environment decorated with photos of our family's weddings and holiday gatherings. We may have taken our shelter for granted in pre-Covid times as just a place to grab a meal or rest our heads at night. But that is no longer the case. Our home is our refuge.

You may be stronger than you think:

When the pandemic first hit in March, many of us became anxious for ourselves and the family members we care for. But as the months have passed, we may have been surprised with our abilities to calm our nerves, deal with our frustrations, and cope with the pandemic's conditions. We've risen to the occasion, finding new strengths. We've shown our devotion to others to keep them safe and happy.

Those are silver linings that will give us new confidence to tackle other life challenges long after Covid-19 has finally passed.

Barry J. Jacobs, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist, family therapist and a Principal for Health Management Associates. He is the author of two self-books on family caregiving and a monthly column on family caregiving for AARP.org.