Feature June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong
Coping with social isolation thriving, not simply surviving by Joy Pamnani
If your grandkids asked you about COVID, what would you tell them about? l The compulsory social isolation? l The mask mandates? l The restrictions on travel? l Illness, WFH and compulsory quarantine orders? Perhaps it makes sense to say “I barely survived.” But what if you could tell them you thrived?
Every day I would show up at work motivated to conquer challenges. I worked out and got better sleep. I made time to read. There were emotional ups and downs but I trained myself to be more resilient, spent time with the right people and on the right things. Sounds simple. But are Hong Kong people thriving or surviving? Recently, local universities have been holding workshops* on wellbeing. They use evidence-based tools to explain how to lead healthier, happier lives and show that the key to coping with social isolation and becoming a happier individual is not to post photos of the sunset with the hashtag #wellbeing.
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The workshops are about positive psychology, also known as the “Science of Flourishing”. This approach involves a holistic perspective on happiness and wellbeing and studies the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and relational factors that contribute to it. •
Spiritual wellbeing is about living mindfully and purposefully. Not necessarily related to religion, it involves living in the present moment and cultivating a sense of meaning.
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Physical wellbeing is about taking care of both the body and the brain through diet, exercise, sleep and stress management.
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Intellectual wellbeing is about keeping the mind active through curiosity and lifelong learning.
