After 750 days of various forms of lockdown as a result of Covid-19, and with the lifting of the state of disaster regulations this week, we are finally ‘free’.
But for how long no-one knows the answer.
Covid-19 has irrevocably changed our lives – especially with limited contact with family and friends.
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I for one didn’t anticipate how everything could spiral out of control so quickly. I remember the early stages of the virus in 2020 when I kept tabs on the statistics – at that time there were only 69 000 infections worldwide and with a global population of over eight billion people, I thought it would eventually fizzle out.
But this was not the case, things only worsened, the virus spread like wildlife and everyone’s everyday lives around the world changed.
Fear ruled and still rules (the virus is very much present), and everyone is still doing everything in their power to avoid becoming infected. Two years ago, families became islands, and when outside the home mask wearing (which is still mandatory when entering a building) and social distancing became the norm.
I recently chatted to a friend whom I had studied with, while we kept in contact occasionally, we had not spoken in a long time. So, it felt like a breath of fresh air when she contacted me and we had a long conversation – I think over three hours about two weeks ago.
It was a great catch up session, but I felt disappointed in myself that I hadn’t contacted her earlier, especially when I learned during our conversation that both she and her husband had contracted the virus.
While they both recovered, however, if they had not, I would not have known. And that is even more sad. Besides family, friendships are so important. In the more than 20 years that I have known her, our friendship has endured.
When I chat to her, it doesn’t feel awkward if we haven’t caught up in a while, it feels like we had a conversation yesterday. Now it’s up to me keep my friendship present.
What are the benefits of friendship?
Good friends are good for your health (especially during pandemics which we are in the midst of); they help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times; prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too.
Friends can also increase your sense of belonging and purpose; boost your happiness and reduce your stress; improve your self-confidence and self-worth; help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one; encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise.
So, if you have not chatted to a friend in a while, now is the time to do so.
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