ASIDE from being a physical and economic nightmare, the Covid-19 pandemic has also affected the psychological well-being of both business owners and employees.
According to Dr. Anna Oaminal-Watin, managing director and clinic psychologist of Akvo Applied Psychology Center, Covid-19 has not only put businesses and livelihoods in bad shape; it has also affected the mental wellness of entrepreneurs and workers during these uncertain times, battling an invisible enemy that may cause them their business, jobs or worse, their health.
“We are fighting the Covid-19 virus, and this is a public health crisis. But we are also looking into economic implications after this, and even in this pandemic, we are already experiencing certain issues in the mental health of people,” Waitin said in a webinar hosted by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
She said the current situation demands from business leaders a clear vision, understanding, clarity and agility.
“This is a very big challenge to all of us because how can you have all these things in a time of so much uncertainty and anxiety in the midst of Covid?” she said.
For Watin, both business leaders and employees must work together to lessen each other’s burden in ensuring sound financial and mental wellness.
She advised that both should strive for positivity to build mental resilience by doing activities that bring them joy.
She added that there should also be constant engagement, or regular development of inner strengths and things that an individual is good at and enjoys doing.
Creating authentic, energizing and supportive relationships is also important. People should also find meaning, a sense of connection to something bigger than themselves, she said.
Fostering self-belief and vitality that promotes eating well, moving regularly and sleeping deeply are also helpful in lessening the stress and anxiety in today’s depressing times.
“We can feel anxious every day. It’s just that during this pandemic, our levels of anxiety are heightened,” she said.
7C’s
To further help business owners and employees cope with stress and anxiety, Waitin shared the 7C’s for mental toughness. These are calmness or the state of being free from agitation; concentration or power of focusing one’s attention or mental effort; cope-ability which is the ability to deal effectively with something difficult; cohesion; confidence, a feeling of self-assurance; care or the provision of what is necessary for health, welfare, maintenance and protection; and compassion or the sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. (JOB)