A year of a pandemic

Having a routine can have a significant effect on mental health during this pandemic

Alena Botros / Opinion Editor / The USD Vista

500,000 coronavirus-related deaths; 500,000 people have died in the United States alone. The New York Times reported, “the nation’s total virus toll is higher than in any other country in the world. It has far surpassed early predictions of loss by some federal experts. And it means that more Americans have died from COVID-19 than did on the battlefields of World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War combined.” 

Where do we go from here? How do we move forward? How do we make sense of these deaths? These are questions I ask myself every day in moments of silence. Those moments come when classes have finished, when I log out of Zoom, and there is no more homework to distract myself with. 

I used to love those moments. The time when I could sit aimlessly in front of an awful reality show for hours, but now my mind wanders, taking me to levels of uncertainty I can’t really handle. For a normal college student, this level of uncertainty may include thoughts and fears of the future; the basics like having a job, internship, or graduate school lined up after graduation. But, a college senior in the midst of a pandemic is faced with amplified versions of these anxieties. And, it can be detrimental to our mental health. 

So, I’ve found myself jumping into a new routine that has allowed me to avoid this unnecessary stress. Some may say avoidance is not the way to go, but these are unprecedented times, as we are reminded in every single email, and I’d argue that the art of distraction is key. 

I wish I could write to you today, and tell you that my mornings start with a swift jog or maybe yoga on the patio. But, rather my mornings begin with me scrolling through my social media feed. And that is where it all goes wrong. I’m hit with an insane amount of posts about the pandemic, about being in a pandemic for almost a year now, and it’s inexplicable. 

I try to start my morning by writing a few things down, whether it is how I am feeling or simply random thoughts that enter my head: it helps. It allows me to begin the day with an emotional release as simple as jotting thoughts down. From there, I make my bed, forcing me to get out of it. I open all the curtains in my small Pacific Beach apartment and let the sun penetrate through, instantly brightening the day. 

I usually crave coffee as soon as I open my eyes, so I’ve taken to using my roommate’s French press for a cup of pure bliss. As I sip my coffee, watching the steam rise from my mug, I lie in the sun pouring through my closed bedroom window, and I think about all the families and friends that have lost loved ones. 

Before my classes begin, the thoughts usually flood in. And, I think about how much I want to go back to normal. But what is normal? This has become the new normal, so I wonder if there is a way back. 

I think about all of us college students: some of us ignore the pandemic, others consider every action. I understand both sides. I try to make excuses for those of us who try to live our lives as close to what they were a year ago, but then I remember our actions affect everyone. 

But, eventually I am back on Zoom, for hours on end, trying to listen, but suffering from Zoom fatigue. My eyes burn, my back aches, and my head pounds, but I force myself to get fresh air, and it really does heal all. I think walks have helped every one of us as we trudge through the pandemic. The fresh air, the conversations we share as we stroll, and the music carries us through, providing enough of a break until more screen time is required. 

A year ago after returning to San Diego from spring break, everything changed. And, we’ve been forced to adapt to this new lifestyle. For me, distracting myself from the reality of it all has provided me with a sort of haven in this time. 

A routine doesn’t solve everything. Some nights I still lie in bed thinking about all things pandemic, but I know that keeping my mind occupied has provided more relief than I could ever imagine. Walks, baking, a Netflix limited series: whatever it is, find something you can incorporate into your daily routine. This is the time to distract yourself from the reality of our world.

The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.