Life during Covid Days
COVID-19 is a mega pandemic I have ever experienced in my lifetime. It had compelled the world to shut down for a while.
When the nationwide lockdown started in March 2020, we thought it may be for some weeks. But in July 2021, we are still under frequent zonal lockdowns, night curfews, etc.
During these COVID-19 days, most of us are at home as the disease is still lingering in our surroundings.
Recall the Hindi poem we read in our kindergarten.
Machli jaal ki rani hai, jeevan uska pani hai.
Haath lagaoge to darr jayegi, bahar nikaloge to marr jayegi.
Nobody thought this will become a reality for humans, too.
Aren’t we living a life of a fish, safe in our houses?
If some stranger accidentally touches us, we get scared. If we have to step out of our houses for something important, we fear getting infected by the coronavirus.
We are still surviving the lockdowns, which are mainly voluntary. Relishing different cuisines, relaxing in the comfort of a cozy home, engaging in frequent video calls with family, studying online, working from home, polishing hobbies, dilly-dallying through social media, exploring Amazon Prime and Netflix; these activities keep us going, Isn’t it?
We learned to survive with little things too, and living an extravagant life is just an option.
But, watching films sitting alone on a couch or conducting online classes without haptic communication with our friends makes us happy?
Humans are Social Animals. I had read it many times, but only this lockdown taught me it is DEFINITELY TRUE.
Although lockdown taught us several things, cooking different recipes, baking cakes, gardening, trimming hairs, photography, various forms of painting, podcasting, writing, making the over-hyped Dalgona Coffee, etc. But are we still happy?
Is there something missing?
Maybe YES
We are missing our friends, traveling, shopping, casual outings, hangouts, celebratory lunch-dinners, a movie in theatres, etc. Meeting people and staying in their company has never been so important or desirous. Isn’t it?
Before the COVID-19 days, we ignored the importance of socializing; our daily errands caught us up, we kept ourselves busy by working day and night for monetary gains, many times ignoring the family time.
Now we know the importance of family, the frequent talks with friends, the quick-casual greeting to our helpers, or a quick smile to the local vendors.
But let’s not forget that the lockdown had its share of benefits too.
The air got purified coz of less pollution and the Himalayan mountains got visible from nearby villages; the rivers got cleaner, the urban areas observed the chirping of the birds & wandering of the wild animals, Odisha witnessed mass daytime nesting of Olive Ridley turtles, Dolphins were spotted swimming and playing off the Mumbai coast, the earth’s ozone layer is healing and much more.
Well, these environmental changes teach us to respect nature and not mess with it.
Remember Maslow’s hierarchy theory
Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs is a motivational theory. It is depicted within a pyramid from bottom physiological needs, safety, friendship, esteem to topmost self-actualization needs. Later cognitive needs, aesthetic needs, and transcendence needs were also introduced in this model-(Mentioning this to be technically correct).
The above picture shows the human needs during the covid days.
Self-actualization needs or achieving one’s full potential is something yet to be conquered. Traveling and playing sports are still distant dreams. Although nowadays the hill stations are jam-packed with lakhs of tourists.
The government is still advising to stay safe at home and avoid inviting the third wave. Keep an eye out for the highly transmissible Delta variant that is spreading and the cases are rising in the USA and Australia.
The Belongingness needs were one of the most affected needs during these days. The presence of humans in our life holds an inevitable space. But we limited social interactions to Facebook and WhatsApp chats and posts. The lack of human touch, casual hugs, high-fives with friends or colleagues has converted us into robots, doing our daily errands and leading a mundane life.
This reminds me of a Hindi song:
Gaadi bula rahi hai, seete bajaa rahi hai
Chalnaa hi zindagi hai, chalti hi ja rahi hai.
We all are leading our life like a train, carrying loads of responsibilities, emotions, expectations, uncertainties of future, dreams, and still keep moving — chugging and snorting.
Who can forget April-May 2021?
In April 2021, India witnessed the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and reported record cases of over 6.6 million in just one month. Total cases in India have passed 18 million in this month. Morgues and crematoriums were overwhelmed, as the death toll reached 2 Lakhs. 20 percent of India’s covid-19 deaths occurred in April alone. There have been over 3 Crores cases and over 3.92 lakh deaths so far.
These are just official numbers, the numbers are far more than reported. The numbers might have increased while I am writing this blog.
The health infrastructure was crippled and there weren’t enough ICU beds and oxygen cylinders for the patients. People were searching for the same insanely by making deliberate phone calls, posting on social media, hoping from one hospital to another asking for help for their near ones. Alas, the ICUs were filled within minutes with no more availability.
Although the government got into action, many other countries came up for help and sent oxygen cylinders, masks, and other equipment. The vaccination drive got more momentum, but the lives gone will never come back.
Many people have lost their loved ones, maybe one in every extended family. Isn’t this hair-raising?
Many who survived the covid are saddened by their loss and are into depression.
Life Coaches or wellness professionals have never been so in demand. Jay Shetty, Deepak Chopra, Vishen Lakhiani from Mindvalley, Robin Sharma, Sadhguru, Gaur Gopal Das, and many other prominent leaders in human transformation have been conducting webinars, special programs, and courses to help people overcome their distress in life and get empowered.
Depression and loneliness have become synonyms. To avoid unwanted stress, frustration, and anxieties, meditation is the only cure.
Mindfulness!
Who hasn’t heard this word, especially during Covid days?
If you want to feel excited and enthralled with the beauty of life, just be present at the moment and behave like a child, appreciating everything you see or hear.
Be amused with the children’s play in the park, the sounds of their laughter filling the atmosphere, the chirping of the birds, the squirrel’s run for nuts, tiny droplets on leaves after a drizzle, the smell of a rose, the moist grass under the feet, smell of soil after the rain, a rustling of the leaves through the wind in the trees.
Our mind should be present to observe things and not just the body. This will help us to stay alive.
The most searched element in life today is?
Happiness, of course.
Let’s pledge to add more value to our lives. Let’s be Happy.
Do you know that happiness is not just an emotion now, it is a $4 trillion industry?
Millions of people are taking courses on happiness. Over 150 Million posts on Instagram are with the hashtag Happiness.
Many countries and different universities are researching it for the well-being of their citizens.
As per the world happiness report 2021, India holds 139th position. This doesn’t mean we have to top the chart to pursue happiness. We can stay happy in our distinct way.
Happiness is a journey and not a destination!
– Ben Sweetland
Some tips if still haven’t tried or want to keep repeating to keep a physical, social, and mental balance:
§ Take a ride with your family within the city.
§ Spend some time flipping the photo album remembering the olden days.
§ Play a board game or UNO with your family members.
§ Take some out for gardening and potting plants.
§ Learn to prepare age-old authentic dishes from grannies.
§ Dance like no one is watching.
§ Enjoy a hot cup of tea while listening to your favorite songs.
§ Watch various movies, also watch some black & white ones with your parents.
§ Take a walk in a park for exercise and admire new flowers.
§ Compete with siblings over video games.
§ Play with kids–try jumping in the muddy puddle.
§ Read new books or learn various forms of painting and much more.
While Monsoon has engulfed most parts of India, don’t forget to make Onion Pakoras. There couldn’t be a better time to relish these mouth-watering delicacies while small droplets of rain are making the climate moist and full of life.
If you are living with your parents, relatives, or friends, live life to its fullest with your loved ones.
Happy Living!!