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When the epidemic started, our everyday life and functioning changed a lot overnight. What psychological consequences did this entail? What turned out to be the most difficult from a psychological point of view?

One of the greatest challenges of a pandemic is social isolation. Although a year has passed, many people face this challenge to this day. The elderly and the disabled are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. Difficulties related to limited social contacts are also increasingly reported by young people. Another challenge we face daily is learning and working at home. This applies to children, adolescents and adults. Some people see the advantages of such a lifestyle: we do not have to commute to work, to universities, we avoid standing in traffic jams. We need less time to prepare for everyday tasks. The quality of the air we breathe is improving because CO2 emissions decrease as social mobility decreases. Working and studying at home also have significant limitations. We miss the people we used to meet daily. Working or learning remotely, we spend much time in virtual reality. As a result, we begin to feel tired and even weary. Many people point out that their biological clock is disturbed.

Do you think that after a year we managed to adapt to the existing situation?

I have a feeling that we have learned a lot in the last year. What is more - we have developed new habits. We avoid places with large groups of people. We care more about the places where we live. We maintain contacts with relatives through electronic means. We handle many everyday matters remotely. However, I believe that as long as we face the limitations that have been imposed for several months, we will feel both psychological and physical discomfort. It is important to be aware of what is happening to us. Let us not deny the emotions that arise in us. It is natural to feel angry, sad and frustrated. How we respond to stress and emotions is very important.

Crises often force you to be creative, look for new solutions and make changes in your life. Could the coronavirus pandemic have, or is it already having any positive effects?

The beginning of the pandemic has shown that we can be creative. We could return to old interests, hobbies, or spend it with our relatives with the time that we previously lacked. We need crises to develop. How we work through them is then reflected in how we will function in the new reality. In a crisis, we can see opportunities and opportunities for development, but also threats. Our attitude in dealing with challenges is crucial.

How can we deal with the limitations and emotions that arise from the epidemic? How can we take care of ourselves and those around us?

If we feel that emotions and stress appear in us, we should take care of ourselves as soon as possible. I will say more, let's not wait for a worse mood and exhaustion to get us. We should take care of ourselves every day. The key is healthy eating, sleep and exercise. The slogan "Stay Home", which frequently appears in a pandemic, does not mean that we must abandon all forms of physical activity. Prevention and health awareness are key to maintaining mental and physical well-being.

However, we are not always able to cope on our own. When is it worth asking for help from a psychologist? What symptoms should worry us?

If any symptoms worry us and have lasted for several days, it is worth seeking help. The key is to find someone who will devote their time to us and listen to us. It could be our friend, acquaintance or neighbour. It is important not to be alone with difficulties. Professional help is provided by a specialist: a psychologist or psychotherapist. When can we ask for it? There is no rule here. If a client calls me, I always make an appointment. It is important to feel the need and willingness to talk.

At our University, we have a Team for Supporting People with Disabilities, which offers help such as psychological support. Who and on what terms can use this help?

The assistance provided by our Team covers students, doctoral students and employees. Information on the organization of support is available on the Team's website: www.umcs.pl/pl/konsultacje-psychologiczne,2442.htm.

There you can find information about specialists along with contact details. Importantly, the help is provided free of charge. I strongly encourage you to use this form, and at the end, I will quote the sentence: "In psychology, no problems are perceived as unimportant - sometimes seemingly minor problems are a signal of the existence of something more serious".

Photo from the archive of G. Chmielewski