Essay by Dr Olga Klimecki, Eleonore Trefftz Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Psychology

The fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is hitting us all with full force. Despite the enormous progress in vaccination, the number of infections is higher than ever before. Hospitals are bursting at the seams. The traditional Christmas markets have just been set up and are now cancelled.  Many have fallen ill with the virus or have gone into self-isolation, and numerous companies and employees have had to put up with severe setbacks. Everyone is affected by the pandemic in some form or another. What hits home hard is that this crisis has now dominated everyday life for well over a year. And yet, there is no end in sight. 

The uncertainty and constant stress in a state of crisis are an enormous burden. The pandemic led to a dramatic increase in (mental) health problems, a drastic increase of domestic violence, and a deep social divide. The question is: How can we as individuals and as a society deal with these burdens?

First of all, every crisis is also an opportunity for change. We know from psychological research that dealing well with crises can strengthen people to get through future crises unharmed (resilience). A central part of resilience is positive emotions. They can be strengthened in a targeted manner. Together with colleagues, we were able to prove that positive emotions, their neuronal basis and the adaptive handling of stressful situations can be strategically fortified - even in adulthood.     

You can engage in activities in your everyday life that make you happy. Maybe it is a walk in nature, sports, or a phone call with friends. Positive emotions can also be fostered through specific training. One form of training that bolsters positive emotions and resilience is meditation training. There are plenty of options to choose from - both at TU Dresden and in other locations.

In addition, resilience is promoted through close social relationships. Social relationships are essential for our survival. We know from research that social isolation is the greatest risk factor for mortality. This puts social isolation even higher than other risk factors, such as drug abuse. Unfortunately, social relationships are falling short in the pandemic. Get-togethers that used to be taken for granted, such as lunch with colleagues, large family celebrations or joint visits to cafés and restaurants, have suddenly become a rare luxury. Due to the decline in social contacts, we notice very clearly how valuable these social relationships are.

This can be a motivation for change that affects the social community, or even society. It is an opportunity for our society to move away from the practice of "blaming and shaming" - a way of assigning blanket blame to others. Research shows us that blaming and shaming does not help resolve conflicts, but rather deepens societal disruptions. The solidarity that is so essential to each of us is even more threatened nowadays.

The pandemic is also a chance to tackle things together and get creative. Thus, during this time we can pay tribute to the initiatives that have managed to strengthen social ties despite the adverse circumstances. My neighbors, for example, started having parties online every week during the lockdown. In this way, they have been able to deepen and revive contacts with their friends who live near and far. A small street party was recently announced in my street. Wearing masks, the residents chatted away while the children played together. You can also support friends who are currently in self-isolation. Often, simply listening on the phone or sending a friendly message is enough. Many people in self-isolation are happy to receive flowers or something to eat at the door. Maybe you can also use the time to write a handwritten letter. There are countless ways to get active, strengthen your own resilience and foster social ties. As individuals and as a society we can all contribute for us all to emerge stronger from the crisis.