The coronavirus pandemic left our streets and trains empty. Whoever can, works from home, leaving offices deserted and dark. When will this change? When will light and life return to the offices, streets and trains? And what are the consequences for all of us?
Shortly after the shutdown in March 2020, the first recommendations for working from home followed.
Various recommendations were also made for mental and physical wellbeing, in order to be able to cope with this new situation with the right diet or meditative exercises. Additionally, people were encouraged to continue to socialize, but via video call or chat. Thus, many of us became "hermits".
This massive change in our daily habits also led to a change in our accident and illness records. Sports activities in the great outdoors became more popular overnight; here, for example, the increased number of accidents involving cyclists and e-bike riders in the summer months is striking. Cooking at home was also — inevitably — rediscovered, resulting in a conspicuously large number of additional visits to the doctor with cuts and puncture wounds.
The shutdown passed, but working from home continued as part of everyday life for many employers and employees. Access to the familiar office is still not possible or only possible to a (very) limited extent, and ergonomics at the home workplace inevitably becomes more important. Physiotherapists as well as chiropractors speak of a higher influx of patients. Working at the kitchen or dining table caused the so-called "cell phone neck" or "laptop neck".
However, the new physical wellbeing complaints are only the first signs. The restriction of contact have brought another, no less important wellbeing side effect to light: psychological stress.
Not only for people with pre-existing mental disorders, but also for healthy people, the contact restriction has led to an increase in mental strain. Many people are threatened by existential fears due to short-term work or a possible job loss, the fear of the new virus and have problems with the thereby accompanying life change.
For young people, the whole situation leads to new and unknown stress situations, as their everyday life has also changed. Online classes at home (home schooling), constant presence of parents, no more sports as clubs are closed, no more meeting friends/colleagues, etc. This has caused an accumulation of frustration, anger and also fear. How long will this situation last? What does my future look like? Can I start my education?
Elderly people, who already had limited contact with their social environment before the pandemic, suffer from increased loneliness and isolation because of the pandemic restrictions that include bans on visits to old people's homes. Additionally, many elderly report thoughts of whether there is enough time left to experience the end of the pandemic and, if so, in what physical condition? Can vacation plans that have been postponed due to coronavirus still be realized at all?
Like the virus itself, developments in the area of mental illnesses should not be taken lightly. This is another major challenge that our society will have to face even when no one is talking about the virus anymore. Experiences with other epidemics show that quarantine causes a deterioration in emotional wellbeing especially stress in the short term, which can then lead to an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and substance abuse in the long term.
The "How are you?" campaign is designed to address both emotional and social wellbeing by encouraging people to talk about mental strain. It shows that mental health can be promoted and publicizes various support services. How are you? shows why mental health concerns us all and what we can do when our order is out of balance.
Employers have not been idle either, as employees are their most important asset. This also applies to the employees’ health and wellbeing, which is why employers are increasing their focus on preventive measures and the coronavirus pandemic has given the issue additional significance. We have noticed that employee assistance programs (EAP) are growing more common — in cooperation with external providers. EAPs are an important component of an employee wellbeing program. Employees can use an EAP to seek advice on both company and personal issues (health, finances, integration, addiction problems, etc.) and have a first point of contact when they need support. EAPs have hitherto had a rather shadowy existence in Switzerland but is now becoming more common and popular amid the pandemic.
This increased use of preventive measures to address emotional and social wellbeing is evidence of a positive change in management culture. Especially in these decentralized times, employers are looking to get closer to their employees. Be it through appropriate prevention presentations, virtual team meetings or a coffee break in front of the camera. It may remain dark in the offices for longer, but there is a new light at the end of the tunnel.
