 |
| Photo credit to the owner Two Dreamers. Check her page at Pexels |
How have you been coping with the stress brought by the pandemic?
Others would claim that since the emergence of the pandemic they preferred to stay at home. As some private and local offices temporarily shifted the regular work set up to hybrid and work from home (WFH). And to people who are caught up by the pandemic at home, they would eventually turn to social media for information.
In fact, these people who before the pandemic were already social media savvy are now on the brink of addiction without them knowing it. The opportunity to browse the digital network whether social media sites, entertainment pages, gaming rooms, or delivery channels has become even more accessible.
During the early
stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was a struggle to transition
the public to online platforms, as most would prefer person-to-person learning,
work set up, meetings, and even social gatherings.
However, as the
public adapts to what others call the new normal it
is now a challenge to take them away including the attention poured by these
people to digital channels now that they have adjusted.
Truly, these social platforms indeed helped people get by from the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic, but it has also taken them away from themselves. Others have turned into a shopaholic or someone who buys compulsively. As for the industry that despite the challenges brought by the pandemic managed to thrive is online gaming. Many if not most people hooked up to online gambling such as sabong, tongits, pusoy, and poker, amongst others. While as for viewing in the absence of cinemas has become easier as there are media channels like Youtube, Kumu, Netflix, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, and many other platforms providing social entertainment.
Others would likely
say these are all temporary, yes to some, that may sound true. But
most often than not, people who get too attached to these so-called pastimes
overlook the essence of why they are doing it. That eventually it become their
way of life. Why not instead of turning your extra minutes into adding expense to
your monthly budget, you rather use these free minutes to a silent
retreat, to communicate and feel the reassuring presence of God.
Athlete and TV personality
Gretchen Ho, publicly admitted that she is in self-isolation, not because she tested
positive for Covid, but for safety reasons as many people close to her were infected.
She said the opportunity to be alone and away from people that means to her is also an
opportune time for quality silence and prayer.
Many would not agree
with me, but perhaps, everyone is guilty of letting the phase of the universe
take its toll on human life. The same reason also why up to this day, the Covid
pandemic continues to be there poking at everyone as if asking to slow down as
you ride the roller coaster of life