Name: Coronavirus: What Are the Chances We’ll Change Our Behavior in the Aftermath?
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Coronavirus: What Are the Chances We’ll Change Our Behavior in the Aftermath?

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Sign inPassword recoveryRecover your passwordyour emailThe world as we know it may never be the same. The global economy has slowed, people are living in isolation, and the death toll from an invisible killer is rising exponentially. The coronavirus pandemic has imposed a harsh reality of bereavement, illness, and unemployment. Many people are already facing financial hardship and uncertainty over future job prospects.Early data suggest that the immediate psychological impact of the pandemic . There are also more uplifting analyses, however, suggesting the experience for the better. But are humans even capable of sustainable behavior change?We know that crises can lead to and . At a community level, these emotions can descend into acts of scapegoating, , and discrimination. Environmental shocks and epidemics may also cause societies to become more “selfish,” electing authoritarian leaders .We also know that existing societal inequality, , deepens after . Any psychological distress tends to be in those who are less fortunate.To change our behavior for the better, we need to first overcome these challenges and boost well-being. Over the last three years, our group to “.” We define this as positive connections to ourselves, communities, and our wider environment.On a basic level, positive health behaviors are important to achieve individual well-being, such as eating healthily, sleeping well, and exercising. A strong sense of is especially crucial for overcoming major life events and realizing In the words of one of our colleagues—who has overcome multiple sclerosis—we must commit to “” during personal crises. This involves moving beyond ourselves and serving something greater.and communities are therefore essential. Social relationships lay the foundation for personal identity and our sense of connectedness with others. This gives rise to positive emotions in an upward spiral relationship.Recent and also demonstrate that we have an innate need to be connected with nature and other forms of life to feel good. Individuals who regularly spend time in nature tend to be and have a greater sense of .Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to discuss the link between the and happiness without considering the major threat that is anthropogenic climate change. This can give rise to the emotion of “”—a state of grief, despair and melancholia resulting from negative environmental change.The commonalities between the coronavirus pandemic and climate change . Both challenges represent “environmental” problems that are socially driven. A major difference, however, is our global responsiveness to one, but not the other.The abstract nature of climate change, along with the we feel in relation to it, contribute to our “sitting on our hands and doing nothing.” This phenomenon is known as &nbsp;Perhaps the silver lining here is what coronavirus can and should teach us—that a commitment to action leads to change.The Chinese word for “crisis” includes two characters, one for danger and another for opportunity. During the pandemic, many people have been forced to work from home, substantially reducing time spent traveling, . This may continue, if we see the value in it.Although , trials of flexible working patterns, such as , also demonstrate an array of benefits to .Coronavirus begs the question: why would we want to fully return to the workaholic status-quo when the end goal can be achieved in a different way, supporting well-being, and environmental sustainability? Any small positive change helps us to feel further empowered. The pandemic has, after all, taught us that we can get by without shopping excessively and going on long-haul flights for holidays.There is evidence that we can make behavioral changes following a crisis. We know that some preventive measures, such as respiratory and hand hygiene, following a viral pandemic. Research has also shown that residents in New Jersey, US, following two devastating hurricanes. Experiences of flooding in the UK have similarly been shown to lead to a . Meanwhile, bushfires in Australia .That said, research shows that positive change generally dwindles over time. Ultimately, we rather than pro-environmental actions. Maintaining any change in behavior is difficult and including motives, habits, resources, self-efficacy, and social influences.Positive psychological experiences, and a newfound sense of purpose may hold the key to driving non-conscious motives towards . Emerging evidence also suggests that and can facilitate and community connectedness.Fortunately, simple interventions such as and &nbsp;paying attention to the present, have been shown to promote openness towards ideas relating to the overlap between humans and nature. These things can help maintain behavioral changes.Understanding that our psychological, social, economic, and natural worlds are part of an interconnected system also facilitates an towards protecting and preserving the natural world.To achieve that, interventions grounded in fostering positivity, kindness, and gratitude could be effective. We know that these things lead to . Meditation focusing on also enables positive emotions and a personal sense of .Another intervention that can reduce stress and promote is keeping a journal. This could even boost pro-ecological behavior when completed in nature.Some problems are simply impossible for the individual to fix alone, however—hence Giddens Paradox. Positive change by individuals will likely be temporary or insignificant, if not reinforced by policy or regulation. Organizations, industry, and government have a big responsibility for promoting positive change.A first step would be to enable the well-being of all citizens by overcoming threats of inequality, xenophobia, and misinformation in the aftermath of the pandemic. If we fail to do this, we will ultimately be neglecting opportunities for positive change and risking the very survival of our species. What we decide to do today and after the current crisis is of paramount importance.This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .Image Credit: fromShareDon't miss a trendGet Hub delivered to your inboxSingularity HubSingularity GroupStay connectedGet the latest news from Singularity Hub!Copyright © &nbsp;Singularity Group. All rights reserved.

Sign inPassword recoveryRecover your passwordyour emailThe world as we know it may never be the same. The global economy has slowed, people are living in isolation, and the death toll from an invisible killer is rising exponentially. The coronavirus pandemic has imposed a harsh reality of bereavement, illness, and unemployment. Many people are already facing financial hardship and uncertainty over future job prospects.Early data suggest that the immediate psychological impact of the pandemic . There are also more uplifting analyses, however, suggesting the experience for the better. But are...

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Zoe Fisher

Chronicling technological progress in AI, robotics, health, & exponential tech. By @singularityu.

Coronavirus: What Are the Chances We’ll Change Our Behavior in the Aftermath?

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