By: Rose Ann N. Oliva

Ineffable. This is one word that has loomed large in the minds of people across the globe in the midst of the crisis that the world is in.  The rise in the number of people infected with COVID-19 has affected the conventional lives of the entire human population and along with this, the apprehension that comes with the uncertainty of humanity’s welfare. Having access to information from numerous media outlets have broadened their awareness regarding the society’s current state and during these difficult times, most could only hold on to hope.

Aristotle has defined hope as “the dream of a waking man.” It is what drives individuals to take action and seek solutions to conflicts. Aristotle however, contrasts hopefulness with the virtue of courage, as many people put their blind faith into something simply because of past experiences that occurred out of pure luck or merely due to their lack of knowledge of the danger at hand. Other times, individuals feign hopefulness due to ignorance of the circumstances. Society now consists of people who possess any of these kinds and in all of three of these cases, there is simply no occasion to exercise the virtue of courage. This mentality has led people to live in constant fear, oblivious to the real condition the world is in.

Challenges are inevitable and obstacles like those can be overwhelming for most and make them lose hope, but research shows that fostering hope can bring out positive emotions. Staying optimistic during the pandemic is vital as it does not mean one is simply hoping for the best, rather it is about one having the motivation to move towards achieving something though the positive outcome isn’t certain. Cultivating hope establishes unity and a sense of camaraderie among different countries as everyone has similar experiences as the virus breaks out and is suppressed in peaks and troughs.

Sustaining hope during these trying times can be shown in numerous ways and sharing them with others can overall improve the world little by little. Surrounding oneself with people who have optimistic views in life can influence one’s mood according to researchers; so harboring hope and staying connected even with the lack of physical contact can greatly help others’ emotional well-being.  Giving people a sense of comfort could also go a long way; supporting others through words of encouragement and by offering them help show that there are people out there who are empathize and are willing to go out of their way to help those that are in need of assistance. These actions nurture solidarity and hope to everyone involved.

Hope is associated with many positive effects. According to studies conducted by researchers, harboring an optimistic view in life amidst the pandemic is beneficial to one’s mental health and physical well-being according to some studies.  Moreover, individuals tend to have fewer chronic health problems and less depression and anxiety if they possess this quality which results to a fuller life.  Having these emotions also gives the individual a stronger sense of purpose and lowers the risk of cancer.

Few people predicted how quickly COVID-19 would reshape the world and for most people, the biggest changes appeared to happen overnight. Without ignoring the realities the world is currently facing, it is clear that the world is reaching for a positive message. This pandemic has been a sort of reset across societies and sectors. From commuting for school or work, to support for health systems across the nation, COVID-19 has forced mankind to take a look at how they work as one on this planet. In the midst of the pain that people continue to endure, finding comfort in the stories of hope and solidarity is essential to keep seeing the value in the positive and the lessons that will emerge after this pandemic is over.