Author: Erika Engelbrecht-Aldworth
Publication Date: 21 January 2025
Do you recall the eerie quiet of early lockdown? The uncertainty, the endless video calls? COVID-19 did not only threaten physical health—it shook mental and social well-being to the core. Let us examine how the pandemic reshaped well-being and what we learned.
The global crisis sparked a surge in anxiety, depression, and loneliness, with studies noting mental health declines in early 2020 (Pierce et al., 2020). Social isolation, designed to slow the virus, hit hard, particularly for women and minority groups, who reported increased stress and thoughts of self-harm (O’Connor et al., 2020). The pandemic was not solely a health crisis; it was a well-being crisis, revealing how interconnected our physical, mental, and social lives are.
Public health has historically focused on preventing disease, but COVID-19 highlighted the need to prioritise well-being (Seligman, 2000). Virtual care, such as online therapy, bridged gaps, but it could not replace a hug or a coffee with friends (Zhang et al., 2022). The data collected—on mental health, isolation, and resilience—will guide future crisis responses, ensuring support for both body and mind (Holmes et al., 2020).
How did you cope during those difficult months? Perhaps you tried online yoga or reconnected with old friends virtually. Those acts of resilience show that well-being is about adapting, even in chaos. The pandemic taught us to value community and self-care, lessons we carry forward.
What is one way you stayed grounded during COVID-19? Share in the comments. Next, we will explore thriving in the technology-driven world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Try a brief mindfulness exercise today and let us know how it feels.
References
Holmes, E. A., O’Connor, R. C., Perry, V. H., Tracey, I., Wessely, S., Arseneault, L., … & Bullmore, E. (2020). Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: A call for action for mental health science. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(6), 547–560.
O’Connor, R. C., Wetherall, K., Cleare, S., McClelland, H., Melson, A. J., Niedzwiedz, C. L., … & Robb, K. A. (2020). Mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal analyses of adults in the UK COVID-19 Mental Health & Wellbeing study. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 218(6), 326–333.
Pierce, M., Hope, H., Ford, T., Hatch, S., Hotopf, M., John, A., … & Abel, K. M. (2020). Mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal probability sample survey of the UK population. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(10), 883–892.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychological Association.
Zhang, J., Yang, M., & Sui, Z. (2022). Virtual care facing the COVID-19 outbreak in China. International Journal of Care and Caring, 6(1–2), 275–281.