Five things the pandemic has revealed about Aussie psyche
The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned some of the most dramatic changes to Australian life in recent memory. Weāve had to adapt to a vastly different way of life to curb the spread of the virus, featuring unfamiliar challenges such as social distancing, mask wearing, and limits on gatherings and travel.
As Victorians in particular begin to emerge from ālockdown 2.0ā, itās timely to reflect on what can be learned from living through a pandemic, particularly the psychological experiences. Indeed, the pandemic has exposed some truths about human behaviour and the mind.
1. Australians are largely law-abiding people
As a nation, we tend to think of ourselves as happy-go-lucky ālarrikinsā. This term is meant to describe our supposedly relaxed nature, irreverence, egalitarianism and self-deprecating sense of humour.
But during this pandemic, most of us have diligently followed the public health rules such as social distancing, wearing masks and observing curfews. Although we might fancy ourselves as having a laconicĀ disregard for rules, the truth isĀ we are a law-abiding nationĀ when it really counts.
As Australians, we like to think weāre all a bunch of larrikins with little regard for authority. But most of us have duly followed the public health rules. (Photo: James Ross/AAP)
2. Women have been affected more by COVID-19
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Many surveys show there are increased levels of anxiety, depression and deliberate self-harmĀ in women compared to menĀ during the pandemic.
Thereās also been āan increase in women presenting to mental health services who are at risk of or experiencing family violenceā in Australia,Ā according toĀ the Womenās Mental Health Alliance.
The pandemic has underscored the inequalities between men and women in Australia. TheseĀ pressures includeĀ an increased burden on women coping with the role of home-based education of children; women as the majority of frontline health-care workers facing daily job pressures and risks of COVID-19 infection; and women making up a large part of the casual workforce facing increasing economic stress and theĀ uncertainty of future employment.
3. Weāre social animals
As highlighted by COVID-19 restrictions, prolonged social isolation can erode our sense of reality, self-worth and creativity. Reduced contact with other people can causeĀ rapid acceleration of mental ill-health. TheĀ long-term health impacts of isolationĀ are comparable to those ofĀ cigarette smoking and obesity.
Humans have evolved toĀ live in groupsĀ with close and regular physical, emotional and verbal contact.
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We rely on social connections to develop new ideas and solve problems, to achieve a wide variety of goals by working together and for external validation of us as worthy individuals.
Enforced isolation during the pandemic has reminded us of a key human need weāve taken for granted ā we need social connections to thrive.Ā Shutterstock
4. Adaptation and resilience are among the greatest human resources
As a nation we have been able to quickly and flexibly develop online teaching curricula, carry out many businesses from home and change our way of socialising. Weāve also rapidly changed many of our research programs to respond to the pandemic and potentially provide testing innovations, a vaccine, and new ways to provide mental health support.
Weāve been able to do this because humans possess cognitive skills that enable us toĀ change our culture and adapt to it. Indeed, many researchers have speculated humans might beĀ the most flexible and adaptable species.
Part of this is our ability to be resilient. Resilience reflects the ability to maintain a stable equilibriumĀ in a situation of threat or loss. Basically, to get back up after being knocked down.
5. We need to cultivate our mental health, not just avoid mental illness
Generally in Australia weāre used to an action-packed approach needed to fight crises such as bushfires and wars. But during this crisis weāve began to recognise the important of other coping skills. These include self-reflection, using virtual ways to connect with others, and openly discussing our mental health.
Self-reflectionĀ helps to build emotionalĀ self-awareness, which in turn leads to a better understanding of oneās emotions, strengths, weaknesses and driving factors.
Weāre developing a greater awareness of the importance of good mental health. Just as we would maintain our physical health, we need to actively support our mental health, even if we donāt have a mental illness.
This article is republished fromĀ The ConversationĀ under a Creative Commons license.
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