Do not "Languish"

 

Due to the Covid pandemic, the government limits household visits to 5 visitors per house per day. It also advises people to refrain from visiting more than one household per day during the coming Chinese New Year holidays. 

My husband is one of 4 sons living in Singapore. It has been customary for the sons and their family to gather at my mother in law's house on the first day of CNY for lunch. Last CNY due to visiting restrictions only the sons and their wives visited leaving out the children and grandchildren. Sad to say the restrictions has increased this year such that only the sons can gather around her at the same time. My mother in law is well into her eighties and every year of enjoying the festivities surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grand children is dear to her. 

 A survey conducted by SMU last year found that the number of elderly residents who reported being satisfied with life dropped when the Covid situation worsened. I think the loss in the well being of the elderly amplifies as the pandemic continues simply because every year is precious in their remaining years. 

Even for baby boomers like me, every year of good health that allows for overseas travels and adventure counts. Thus every year of travel restriction is a significant loss as illness, cognitive decline and loss of body functionality can strike any time. Reflecting on this however does incentivize me to keep fit. On the other hand there is an overhanging "languishing" mood as Adam Grant psychologist and professor at Wharton School Penn U describes it. It is a numb feeling of going through life without much excitement or enjoyment.  It exacerbates with news of new variants and further restrictions dousing hopes of a return to normalcy.

However, we can learn from the younger generation. In line with the youngster's fashionable YOLO (You only live once ) mentality, the  urgency to fulfil dreams and wishes becomes more compelling. I guess to avoid ourselves being trapped in 'languish' we have to think of activities which make us come more alive, be it playing mahjong, gardening, sewing, hiking or any hobbies that we love. We then have to be proactive or disciplined in pursuing it. 

This is called self care to ensure we stay fit mentally and physically. Yes, we must tone both body and mind muscles to be ready for the excitement and adventure when the end of Covid finally arrives.