Human health and mental well-being have always gone hand in hand with the rhythm of nature – at least that's how it is for me. In winter, I live as if on a power-saving mode, doing as little as possible, but as much as necessary. Outside, it's dark and cold, and the only comfortable place seems to be in bed under a blanket, where there's just the right warmth, comfort, and softness to cope with the Estonian weather. In summer, however, I sleep less, explore more, and am in a noticeably better mood. I gladly enjoy the sun, warm evenings, and exciting trips with friends and family.
Autumn and spring, however, are transitional periods – in autumn, it's as if we live off summer energy until the sun's reserves run out, colors disappear from nature, and our feet get muddy for the first time. At that moment, one might want to grab a goose by the leg and fly with it to the Southern Hemisphere. Spring, however, is very difficult for me to define in the context of mental health. It seems to get brighter and more beautiful – flowers begin to bloom, birds sing, and there's hope that the snow will finally melt completely. At the same time, there's still such profound sleepiness, obligations seem to increase, and energy decreases – as if no Vitamin D has been taken for the past six months, and it's only now starting to show.
For the second year in a row, this spring feels even stranger and more uncertain. The increasingly beautiful weather and melting snow can only be enjoyed from behind a computer screen within the confines of one's home. Knowing that I am someone who easily gets bored in one place, this period has been challenging for me. As a keen traveler, it's difficult to adjust to the fact that the most exotic place I can visit is a palm tree background in Zoom or Google Maps Street View, and the best modes of transport are walking or cycling.
Although these might be considered 'first-world problems,' I cannot deny that they strongly affect my energy levels and mental health. It is also difficult for me to get used to limited human contact and social life. I recall countless films and books depicting how artificial intelligence takes over the world and begins to replace human relationships and social interaction, as people become increasingly antisocial. Despite the fact that I still communicate with another person, not the computer itself, during video and phone calls, it still seems to reduce the human factor in relationships.
What should one do when a global lockdown is added to the usual spring fatigue? I don't really have a comprehensive solution for everything and everyone. I see it all around me: people have lost motivation, and stress levels are through the roof. No one has the energy, strength, or desire, and we can't blame them for it, but perhaps we can somehow alleviate it, even among our loved ones?
We invite friends to walk and cycle, and we ask family members how they are doing. Above all, we ensure that we ourselves get enough to eat, sleep, socialize, share worries and joys, and also take the aforementioned Vitamin D, which Estonians are always deficient in. If this is not enough, there is never too busy a period to improve your health and address your problems, fatigue, and stress more thoroughly, and with the help of a specialist if needed, because sometimes well-being does not only depend on the season, weather, and the number of obligations. Therefore, I call on everyone to take care of themselves and ensure that we feel good and have the strength to await the summer sun and freedom.
Finally, I will share some places where you can find support and help:
https://envtl.ee/
https://peaasi.ee/
http://enesetunne.ee/spetsialist/mis-on-vaimne-tervis/
https://www.kriis.ee/et/vaimne-tervis-koroonakriisi-ajal
https://www.kliinikum.ee/psyhhiaatriakliinik/patsiendile/patsiendile/laste-ja-noorukite-vaimse-tervise-keskus
Further information:
Liisi Trumm
liisi.trumm@raad.tartu.ee
