Light at the end of the tunnel
The gates to Australia may be about to fly open. In some States the border walls are finally coming down, and domestic and international travel will be back on our radars. We’ve all been waiting for it, and it’s getting quite exciting really. But this jubilation also comes with a sense of trepidation, and the continued presence of well-meaning but somewhat imposing limitations in our lives. Airport scenes reminiscent of rom-com Love Actually will be playing out across Australia this year. Except in WA, of course, where our border opening timetable remains in limbo.
While I think it’s fair to say that we’re all grateful we haven’t endured months of lockdowns, the crisis paradigm is wearing thin, globally (my heart goes out to those who are suffering right now). For many, the hopes of a home-cooked Chrissy roast with the rellies have been dashed for a second year running. It’s all in the name of safety of course — and it’s excruciating.
The past 18 months have brought many truths to the fore. The value of family and home has been one of the biggest of all. We come from all corners of the Earth, and it’s estimated that more than one-third of our 2.6 million population are expats.
The soul longs for what the eyes cannot see and the hands cannot grasp. It’s the very feeling of home, the visceral melody of belonging, that many people are yearning for. The softness and warmth of love is needed now more than ever, in a world that seems to have become so hard and cold, frozen in fear and greed.
The feeling of home (whether it’s people or a place) brings with it a sense of safety. Our home is where the heart is born, where it beats with joy and finds comfort in pain. It’s emotional and psychological safety, and it’s absolutely fundamental to our health and wellbeing.
Technology cannot replace human touch. Nothing beats the physical presence of loved ones, including family and friends in all their myriad forms. When we prioritise one form of safety (physical and economic or financial) over other forms (such as emotional, social and spiritual) we’re living half-truths and incomplete lives.
Our interior world matters as much as, and perhaps more so, than our physical one. The health of our inner being determines our ability to regulate stress, feel connected and purposeful, make wise choices, and be all-round good and well humans. The mind-body connection is now firmly established.
It’s well known that mental health impacts physical health. It influences how we fall sick and how we recover from illness. In fact, poor mental health has been found to weaken the immune system, increase the risk of heart disease, asthma and obesity, and also lead to premature death.
So, who is going to be accountable for pandemic-related deaths (other than COVID-19) resulting from accumulated psychological stress, and delayed medical attention? It’s one of the biggest issues that elected officials and their advisers (Australia-wide) need to continue grappling with as we manoeuvre our way through a long-haul recovery process. It’s going to require a shift in thinking, and a unilateral, multi-stakeholder approach to save lives.
Some liberties have been promised and freedom of movement (albeit with mandates and restrictions) will eventually return. But this year, you can expect another orphan’s Christmas or virtual feast with the family. Though it’s good to remember, we really are quite privileged to live in Australia, so perspective is helpful and patience is called for.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
This article was first published in The West Australian in Renée Gardiner’s weekly column in Agenda, 2 October 2021.