The Impact of Popular Culture During the Pandemic: How it Helped Us Cope
The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a worldwide health crisis that has affected every aspect of life. It has brought financial uncertainty, social isolation, and widespread anxiety to people all over the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that popular culture has played a significant role in helping people cope with the pandemic. This article explores how popular culture has impacted our lives during the pandemic and how it has helped us to deal with the challenges of these unprecedented times.
Popular Culture and Mental Health During the Pandemic
The pandemic has created a massive strain on mental health due to the uncertainties that it brings. People have had to grapple with unprecedented changes in their daily lives, loss of loved ones, emotionally draining social isolation, and financial stress. This state of mind has prompted an even higher use of popular culture in our lives as a means of coping.
Popular culture has a way of providing comfort, a sense of community and stability. The sense of community is evident with the growth of virtual socializing platforms. Whether it’s virtual board games or trivia, or even movie watch parties, people have found innovative ways to utilise popular culture to stay connected to one another. It has helped people feel less lonely and isolated while coping with the pandemic’s physical distancing requirements. Therefore, it has acted as an outlet for many as they yearn for human interaction while staying safe.
Entertainment as a Mental Detox
Entertainment has always served as an escape from daily life, and during the pandemic, popular culture and entertainment have taken on even greater significance. Popular culture has played a massive role purely as a means for people to have some “me” time and a way to escape from their worries. Engaging in entertainment activities such as podcasts, movies, sitcoms or reading books enables us to zone out from reality and switch off from the thought of the pandemic.
Furthermore, using entertainment as a means of coping has had a ripple effect on people. For instance, the phenomenon of Netflix parties has taken off, where a group of friends or family members meet on a virtual platform to watch their favorite shows together. It provides a much-needed break from the monotony of life currently and helps keep the momentum going regarding emotional wellbeing.
Popular Culture and Mental Well-Being for Children
Children have been hugely affected by the pandemic globally. The closures of schools and childcare facilities have left children without physical and social interactions with peers and teachers, making them more susceptible to mental stressors. Popular culture has been instrumental in mitigating these adverse effects. Experts have advocated for parents to increase their usage of popular culture as a means of maintaining children’s creative minds.
For instance, children’s books, movies, and cartoons have exposed children to the world of imagination, thus acting as an escape from reality. It has also allowed them to connect socially through virtual playdates and video games, enhancing their social interaction without the need for physical contact. Therefore, popular culture has acted as both a means of fun and entertainment as well as a vessel for the emotional wellbeing of the younger generation.
The Future of Popular Culture in Pandemic Times
With no end in sight, the world is still struggling to find a sense of normalcy that existed post the pandemic. Popular culture is essential, and it will continue to play a crucial role in people’s mental wellbeing in these uncertain times- our feelings of socially disconnectedness and sadness, emotional upsets and even uncertainty regarding the future. With content creators stepping up, and traditional outlets becoming more innovative, people’s use of popular culture has evolved beyond mere entertainment to reaching out to people emotionally and psychologically. Moreover, as the world continues to embrace technology, the future of popular culture in pandemic times remains ever-changing.
In Conclusion
Popular culture has been a vital tool in helping people deal with the pandemic’s unprecedented challenges. It has served as a means of entertainment and escapism from reality, aided virtual interaction, and provided a community feeling in times of loneliness. Moreover, it has helped support mental wellbeing for both children and adults by acting as a creative outlet. It’s crucial to note that while we rely on popular culture, we must use it in moderation and as a tool to help us cope with our emotions. It is important to appreciate it as a supplement, not a substitute for human interaction and communication. As the pandemic continues, there is no doubt that popular culture will continue to play a significant role in our lives.
