Keeping spirits up during the pandemic

• Published date: 30 September 2021
• Author: DR. MIKE GROPPER
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Our frustration comes out in common sayings like "Enough is enough," "I can't believe this is still around," "I guess that this is our new reality," or "Can I believe in medical science?" However, what we can say with certainty is that no one can predict what the course of this pandemic will be.

We all can agree on this uncertainty. Perhaps it's a bit like predicting the weather. Meteorologists take their best shots at weather forecasting, but they are not always right. In reality, this uncertainty is the worst aspect of the pandemic. Just when you think you are beating COVID with vaccines, along comes the Delta variant. Although the third booster gives us some hope, we know it doesn't guarantee that COVID-19 is over for good.

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But as my late mother-in-law, who lived through the revolution and pogroms in Russia, would say, "It is what it is."

Now, that school is back, more issues are on our collective minds. Since children are now potential carriers of the COVID virus, COVID testing has become part of the lives of children and their parents. For me, seeing these little kids wearing masks in elementary school and thinking about them going through frequent testing is a painful thing. Yet on a positive note, kids are very resilient, and in the long run, this will all be a fleeting memory for most of them.

Nonetheless, it is very important for parents to regularly ask their children how it is going and what they are feeling. These types of questions will help children cope effectively with both the need for periodic testing for the virus and wearing masks at school.

Most of my clients and my personal friends seem more gloomy than usual. In fact, I felt there was a strange feeling in the synagogue during the holidays. The usual joyful atmosphere was not visible and the conversations with fellow members affirmed my impression. People are indeed worried about themselves and their loved ones.

Below, I offer some positive tips for lifting your mood and/or helping those you care about during this pandemic in this new year.

Reflect on what you did well last year. It is easy to focus on what wasn't accomplished during the previous year and then get depressed about it. Sometimes a simple accomplishment inventory can keep your mood more positive.

Accept the limitations of our situation and this may help you successfully find solutions...