What is the social impact of COVID-19?
Wellbeing & Meditation
COVID-19 has been impacting different people in different ways as shown in the results of the ‘social impact of COVID survey’ by the CSO that came out on May 8th.
Overall, the pandemic as you might have expected from your own experience, talking to others and watching the news, is having a significant effect on the nation’s wellbeing, with just 12% of those surveyed saying their life satisfaction is high compared to 44% in 2018.
With regards to personal relationships, 42% reported their satisfaction as high compared to 60% in 2018.
The survey was launched on April 23rd and asked for information on: Personal well-being, Concerns about the impact of COVID-19 and Changes in consumption since the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions.
The survey is showing certain trends and also mixed reactions and changes in behavior in response to the pandemic. For example, 37 % are exercising more frequently and 33 % are exercising less. Consumption of junk food and sweets is up for 45% and down for 12% of the population. 22% reported an increase in their alcohol consumption and 17% have reduced.
With so much of connections and life happening online, it is no surprise that 59.1 percent have reported spending more time online and only 2.8 percent have reduced their time online.
And, overall, the population of Ireland is more emotionally and financially stressed. Almost one third (32%) of respondents reported feeling ‘depressed or downhearted’ at least some of the time, compared to 13% in 2018. Loneliness which has a huge impact on our health and ability to recover from illness is sadly on the rise with 26% reporting they have felt lonely all/most/some of the time compared to just 16% in 2018.
The survey also looked at how people are responding to the government’s guidance on COVID-19. Some 80% of respondents rated their compliance with current advice as ‘high’, 18% rated their compliance as ‘medium’ and less than 1% rated their compliance as ‘low’.
THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF COVID ON YOU
While it has clearly generally impacted negatively on peoples financial and mental health it has had a mixed impact on lifestyle.
The most important thing for each of us to understand is its impact on ourselves and our families. Before you go giving out to yourself, it is important to be kind and patient in your assessment and firstly look at any additional stresses you have been under and factor them into the situation.
When people are overstressed, they have a tendency to make poor lifestyle choices. Is there a way you can reduce some unhealthy stress and excess if that is what you want to do? Is there something you can do more of or better?
If you are happy with how you are responding, well done.
If you have coped under pressure well done.
If you are keeping up with many new challenges, like juggling looking after children, family members and working at home well done. If you need help, reach out.
We all need it sometimes. If you feel you can do better in some areas, now is the time to start. A wise person shared with me a few months ago: ‘It is not so important where you are. Where you are heading is more important.’ Where you are heading is based on what is in your head today and what you are doing and moving towards.
If you feel you would like to make changes start today. Start small and be consistent. And ask for support as you need it.
Calodagh McCumiskey designs and delivers bespoke wellbeing at work programmes to grow people and companies. She also offers regular meditation classes, personal development workshops and wellbeing consultations to help people thrive 053 9140655 | info@spiritualearth.com | www.spiritualearth.com