What the experienced mountaineer knows

 
mountaineering

In mountaineering, it's common knowledge that more people die coming down than going up. 

Climbers often set their eyes on the summit as the destination and, fueled by adrenalin and willpower, push through to the top. 

Then, completely spent, they are too exhausted to descend safely.


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“I honestly have no idea how I feel.  I go to work, and at the end of the day, I go to sleep. I have no time to digest any of this.” - Matthew Bai

As we collectively traverse the immediate mortality, morbidity, and disruption due to COVID-19, many people are pushing through the mountain of stress, ignoring ("I'm fine"), dismissing ("I can't deal with this right now"), or diminishing ("Others have it worse") how they feel. 

But reasons for psychological stress during this pandemic nevertheless abound:

  • there's the risk of falling ill

  • the fear of losing (and loss of) loved ones

  • the stress of adjusting to new conditions and ways of working

  • the trauma of watching dear colleagues get laid off (or of being involved in devastating layoff discussions)

  • the uncertainty about one's livelihood, job and financial security in the growing recession...

This list could go on.

As we put our heads down, try to "just get on with things", and push through this first wave of COVID-19s impact, unprocessed emotions are being left to fester.

In the coming months, will they trip us up as - adrenalin-spent and weary - we attempt to descend Stress Mountain towards our new normal?
 

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It's anticipated that the second wave of impact from the coronavirus will be mental health. 

This is true not only for health care workers but for anyone around the world experiencing the effects of lockdown.

As a result of the trauma, we are likely to see reduced productivity along with rising levels of depression, irritability, burnout, and absenteeism.

If we want to make it down the other side of this successfully, it's imperative that we pace ourselves.

We must also create 'camps' for recovery along the way: spaces and support systems for ourselves and others to process our grief and make sense of this unprecedented experience in order to ensure our safe return.
 

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As the end of the lockdown approaches, we're likely nearing the summit.  Let's not confuse it for basecamp.  

While there is plenty to celebrate, the experienced mountaineer knows: a dangerous descent still lies ahead.

 
LeadershipAenslee TannerCOVID, leadership, grief, lockdown, stress