The Good in COVID-19

By Cassandra Clements

The onset of Covid-19 caused a lot of confusion. No one was prepared for what was ahead. In December 2019 talks of Covid-19 surfaced. That is when I became aware of it. During this time, China had the highest number of infections and deaths from Covid-19. If I had not taken the Stress and Coping course, my own way of coping with such a catastrophe would have been quite different. I want to share my personal experience and thoughts regarding Covid-19. My intentions are not to devalue or disregard the millions of lives lost during this time. However, as a Covid survivor, I want to emphasize the good that came from the Pandemic. The media coverage of Covid –19 was depressing -- increased hospitalizations, a quickly rising death toll, and a decrease in visitations for COVID patients in hospitals and nursing homes. This meant thousands of people suffered and died alone without loved ones to comfort them. The good from Covid-19 during this time was nations coming together to share information, provide updates, and work together to find a vaccine we would all benefit from.

I had recently started a new job, with minimal training, the effects of Covid required me to work from home 2-3 days a week. When working onsite we were required to wear masks, sometimes making it difficult to breathe and simply uncomfortable. My finances took a minor hit as I was laid off from my part-time job at the hospital. I had never been so stressed in my life.

Luckily, I enrolled in an independent study on Stress and Coping with Professor Christine Testani. This course was a lifesaver and most fitting considering the pandemic we were facing. While reading the assigned text Stress Management for Life by Michael Olpin & Margie Hesson, one of the chapters shared the importance of how one's living environment can have an impact on stress levels. Covid-19 restrictions promoted isolation keeping people home to prevent the spread of the virus.

I was able to create my healing environment by rearranging furniture, retrieving items I had in storage (my garage), rearranging wall art, changing picture frames to include color, and repotting plants. These changes were simple but, played a crucial role in coping while being isolated.

While homebound I wanted to find a way to promote positive thinking, be more productive, and not focus on all the negativity resulting from Covid-19. The media coverage promoting positivity was vague or non-existent. Further reading of my text led me to a chapter about Meditation. I learned what it was, what it is not, and the diverse ways to Meditate such as Contemplation using a natural item, rock, twigs, leaves. Breath Counting, Thought-Watching, Chakra, and Walking Meditations. I started thinking about creating an intimate space just for me. I wanted it to be a quiet, calming, peaceful and overall inspirational space. Stress elimination fueled me to develop a better self-care plan including designing my very own Meditation room. I know that if faced with a crisis in the future that takes away or interferes with my freedom and way of life that I can apply these Meditation techniques I have learned as a student. These techniques have given me the ability to manage difficult life challenges. 

Covid-19 will always be associated with pain. It has changed our lives forever. We will never be the same. Despite the negative impact of COVID-19, it was important for me to share a small piece of how I found the good in Covid-19.