We can start by developing a mindset shift based on the situation at hand. We should adapt to change, see this challenge as an opportunity to grow, focus on progress, and hope for the best results.
This post will talk about the mindset shifts when it comes to COVID-19 recovery. We are all hoping this pandemic will be over soon. But everything seems to be uncertain at this point. What we can do for now is to have a shifting mindset and address this issue as a global community.
The Power of Your Mindset
Mindset is defined as a set of thoughts and beliefs that shape how you understand everything. It can affect how you feel, cope, behave, and your decision-making skills in a given situation.
The power of mindset is a game-changer for your mental and physical health. We all need it regardless of the situation we are in and need it more in crises like the one we’re experiencing right now.
There are two kinds of mindset. Which one do you have?
- Fixed Mindset. A fixed mindset is a fixed mentality in the midst of a crisis. This is the last thing we want if our goal is to move forward.
Some people have a fixed mindset about the coronavirus, saying things like it’s not real and they don’t need to wear masks. Or they don’t believe in getting vaccinated. Their minds will be closed to new changes and developments that could speed up recovery.
- Growth Mindset. People with a growth mindset are resilient to changes. They can accept change and are dedicated to putting in hard work even when it means sacrificing their comfort zone.
This is the kind of mindset we need to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also the kind of mindset patients recovering from COVID-19 should have.
As our leaders and healthcare industries are developing ways to cope with the crisis, new coronavirus variants are discovered. It’s exhausting, but people with a resilient mindset and behavior can keep on moving, no matter how hard this may seem.
What Does COVID-19 Recovery Look Like?
Each person who contracts the coronavirus has a different recovery process. Even after the isolation or being discharged from the hospital, the battle hasn’t ended yet for some people.
It’s unfortunate to hear that the recovery process may still involve residual symptoms and lasting impacts on a person’s overall health. This is called post-intensive care syndrome or PICS.
The coronavirus does not only attack a person’s physical health. It also affects cognitive, emotional, neurological, mental, and emotional health.
Some people are affected for weeks, others for months. We are still uncertain at this point, but the negative impact may reach for years. With all the ongoing stress, increasing unemployment, and financial issues, it is hard to navigate the recovery process.
Although studies of post-covid symptoms are yet to be confirmed, here are some physical symptoms experienced by COVID-19 survivors:
- Damage or scarring to affected organs: heart, lungs, kidney, or liver
- Issues with metabolism
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty in swallowing or speaking in a loud voice due to the scarring in the vocal cords
- Muscle weakness as a result of prolonged hospitalization or lying in bed for weeks. This results in struggling to climb the stairs, engage in physical activities, or lift heavy objects.
Cognitive, Mental, and Emotional Experiences Post-COVID
The ongoing uncertainties are causing too much stress and anxiety for recovering COVID patients. Being discharged or getting negative results does not guarantee life going back the way it used to.
There is the trauma or fear of contracting the disease again. What will tomorrow bring? Will the condition have long-lasting effects?
Here are the cognitive, mental, and emotional experiences of patients recovering from COVID-19 based on reports:
- Emotional fatigue
- Mental fogginess and confusion
- Inability to concentrate well at work
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with nightmares and flashbacks of their hospital experience or physical symptoms they have suffered badly
- Depression and anxiety
- Social isolation and loneliness due to not being able to interact with family and friends for long periods. They spent their days alone in the hospital, which made them sad.
The Post COVID-19 Mindset
Now that you’re aware of the cognitive, emotional, and mental challenges experienced by patients recuperating from the disease, there is what we call the post-COVID mindset. This mindset is built around different factors. There’s the fear of uncertainty or not being strong for yourself and your family and the trauma from the horrifying experience.
Surges of new variants are coming out every now and then, which is a validation that COVID-19 is not leaving us just yet. That said, organizations and societies are working hard to resume as many activities as possible during this new normal phase.
Now we are faced with the choice to go back to how things were pre-pandemic or move forward with our lives and adjust to the new norms of living. Those with a fixed mentality will continue to deviate from the new norm holding on to their beliefs that this will all end and everything will be back to normal.
You have experienced and survived the worst, and there’s nowhere to go up but up. Your mindset should be surrounded by nothing but positivity and resilience.
Will you allow this unseen enemy to get the best of you? Will you allow this life-threatening disease to hinder you from living productively? If your answer is no to both questions then you’re on your way to attaining post-COVID growth.
How to Have a Positive Mindset After the COVID-19 Crisis
Our mindset, behavior, thoughts, and habits shape who we are and how we move forward in the future. If you live with a negative mindset, all the wrong things follow: an unhealthy lifestyle, strains in relationships, procrastination, and a significant decline in mental health.
Can all these be avoided? Yes, as long as you always choose to shift to a positive mindset.
The key to happiness and positive outcomes starts within you. A significant transformation is on the way if you take little steps to a positive mindset. The good thing is that a positive mindset is contagious, and you are creating a ripple effect of mindset shifts for those who are recovering from the disease.
You can be an inspiration for others. You can be a role model for others who are experiencing difficulties during the recovery process. COVID is not something we can control in the world, but your positive mindset is something you can take total control over.
Here are some steps to follow to shift full gear to a positive mindset:
1. Focus on Positivity
Inhale positivity, and exhale the negativity. There are many negative changes around us and aspects in life we cannot change, but you can take control of your positive thoughts.
The new normal keeps on changing, causing distress in many people. So how do you stay positive during these challenging times?
The answer is gratitude. Be thankful for recovering from COVID. Be grateful for your healthy family.
Also, do your best to stay away from negativity. For example, if watching bad news causes you to be anxious, limit your TV and social media time. There’s nothing more important at this moment but taking care of your mental health.
If your business is greatly affected by the pandemic, stay positive that better things are coming in the future. For employees, don’t worry about your job when you’re still in recovery because you are protected. Companies have become more resilient when taking into consideration working arrangements, and employees should be thankful for that.
2. Follow a Healthy Routine
Follow a healthy routine during your recovery to help you get back on track. Always eat healthy, boost your immune system by taking vitamins, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. Start engaging in physical activities if you can to gain the strength you need.
If you experience muscle weakness or other symptoms, start with simple walking. Then work your way up with strength training to get your strength back. If you shift your mindset and follow these routines, recovery will be easier than you thought.
Include in your routine the things you love doing the most. Play with your pets or have an emotional support animal, spend time doing your hobbies like gardening or crafts-making.
Learn to play an instrument, cook, bake, read, draw, or sketch. If you include the hobbies you love in your daily routine, the recovery process will be easier. You also get to take care of your mental health in the process.
3. Seek Support
If all of these are getting too overwhelming or you’re not quite sure how to shift to a positive mindset, you can always talk to a mental health professional to get insights. If you’re from Kentucky or Ohio, you can schedule an appointment with an online mental health counselor at Kentucky Counseling Center.
