We are suited to thrive in difficult circumstances

Shared hardship is often, counterintuitively, good for mental health.

(Source: TASR)

At least as dangerous as the physical health risks posed by coronavirus is the fear that it can spread. As evidenced by the occasional fistfight over toilet paper, panic can make people behave unpredictably, and create a whole new set of problems. But it might surprise you that most evidence suggests that human beings are well-suited to thrive in difficult circumstances.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Staying locked up at home, especially with kids, risks straining even the steadiest nerves (I am five days in, and no, I don’t want to watch Shrek again — ever). And yet shared hardship is often, counterintuitively, good for mental health.

SkryťTurn off ads

Studies of the blitz of London during World War II show that fewer people reported to mental hospitals during the bombardment, and psychologists with existing patients found that many of their symptoms actually improved.

Shared pain helps cooperation

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Slovakia marks 20 years since joining NATO.

Slovakia marks 20 years in the Alliance.


Daniel Hoťka and 1 more
Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad