The Positives of being Covid Negative

It is year five of the global covid pandemic. I don't think that many of us expected it to a) go for this long and so intensely and b) for the powers that be to PROMOTE illness instead of protecting people. If you are still taking precautions or if you've just started to realise the scale of this mass disabling event, thank you.

I see what it has taken for you to uphold your values and stare down reality. I offer endless praise for how well you're coping with an, at times, overwhelmed and hostile community. I want you to know that while it may not have been a huge effort to wear a mask in 2020 (medical exemptions do not count), in 2024, it's a huge act of courage and care. Know that as you mask, keep your air clean and refuse to tow the gaslit line, you are investing in your future. Here's what being covid conscious is giving you:

1.Better health. Your health is likely going to be vastly improved compared to those who take no precautions. Every time you avoid covid (and other illnesses) you are giving your body a bonus. If you are already chronically ill and/or disabled, know that you are preventing poorer future outcomes. Not being sick several times a year is a lot of time saved and an investment in a future of better overall health.

2. Knowledge to increase your wellbeing. When this pandemic is more controlled, you will have built a wealth of knowledge and lifelong habits to ensure you avoid airbourne illnesses. These include recognition around masking and air quality, new hobbies and friends and perhaps a passion for advocacy. Just knowing how much life you will save by masking in healthcare is a HUGE deal.

3. Better boundaries. You will have better boundaries. This is a life skill that you may have had before but I reckon you now have a better capacity for setting boundaries and a clearer understanding of what your needs are because of what we are going through in the pandemic.

4. True allies. You will likely be more finely attuned to that part of you that knows who are the healthy people and who are the unhealthy people. When we are able to keep close only those who value and protect our mental and physical health, we are likely to feel more content and safe.

5. Purpose and values. You may find yourself faltering at times, it's extrememly common. This doesn't change the fact that by nurturing your core values (empathy, safety, social justice etc.) you will get to know yourself better. You may even like yourself better. Finding your purpose gives meaning to life and helps us continue in the face of adversity. Living with purpose helps boost positive goal setting and can help depression and anxiety. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/202203/how-creating-sense-purpose-can-impact-your-mental-health

6. Self advocacy. Because you are standing up for what you believe in, living with purpose, you are advocating for yourself. You are showing yourself consideration and care. Take a step back and look at how you feel about the parts of you that are in this fight. Name them. Appreciate and nurture them (more about mental health care below).

7. Letting go of what no longer serves you. This can be as big as removing harmful people from your life* or as simple as putting resources into your new hobbies instead of, for example, going out to restaurants. If you are on a very limited budget (and too many are), there are affordable hobbies ranging from embroidery and drawing to online content creation and cooking. What does the current you need and enjoy?

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*Note: removing people who are non-supportive right now doesn't have to be a forever choice. You get to decide at any stage of your life who gets to be there and who hasn't earned a place. If we've learnt anything over the past 5 years, things change fast!

I'd like to offer you some tips to look after your mental health during this very difficult time. Take only what is useful and leave the rest behind.

1. Find something you love and can look forward to. Maybe it is a new TV series/film/book, a change in the weather, new growth in a garden or park, a pet or the prospect of a new pet. Focus on the positive parts of the future as often as possible.

   
   

2. Video games. I put these in a separate category from TV because games are more immersive and require busy hands and busy brains. The sophistication and graphics of modern gaming can even be a more affordable and safer way to take a holiday.

   
   

3. Grounding techniques: these include and are not limited to:

   
   

   a) breathing exercises (these are not suitable for everyone. If deep and/or controlled breathing makes you anxious, leave this out). Try box breathing as a start: https://www.healthline.com/health/breathing-exercise#breath-focus

   b) Fidget toys, rubber bands, knitting, crocheting, colouring. Basically find anything that engages your hands and scratches that itch in your brain. 

   c) Changing the temperature by holding an ice cube and letting the shower run cold for the last few seconds. This is also a way to stimulate your vagus nerve and calm your system down.

   
   

4. Decide who gets to be a part of your life. Even if you live with someone, if they aren't supporting you and providing a healthy environment, you are under no obligation to engage with them. We can be civil and courteous while keeping our boundaries. Healthy relationships re when people talk with us not AT us.

   
   

5. Give yourself a BREAK! If you have the means, take time away, a safe holiday at a local beach or a country retreat. If you are limited to your home, make your room a haven. Decorate it with colours and trinkets that remind you of somewhere safe and beautiful.

   
   

6. Physical boundaries. Have your physical boundaries as well established as possible. Air purifier(s), masks, medications, drinks and snacks are all things you can keep in your personal space if it is not ideal to have them in shared spaces.

   
   

7. Social media boundaries. As with your physical space(s), make sure you protect your online spaces. If you find yourself doom scrolling, try setting up or joining an advocacy group. You can't beat the social media algorithms but you can train them fairly well to only show you soothing content. Have at least one app that is only for otters, kittens and dogs jumping into piles of leaves.

   
   

8. Quality connection. Connect with other safe people online and/or in person. If you are struggling with being the only covid conscious person in your life, please know there are many of us. You might want to join an advocacy group such as a Mask Bloc (https://maskbloc.org/) and engage that way. We can still have community.

It may not feel like it, but you are part of a worldwide movement to change public health and policies for the chronically ill and disabled communities. You are creating a safer environment for everyone. When asked what you did during the covid crisis, you can truly say you cared, you struggled, you fought and you stopped the spread.

I'm proud of you.