3 ways people are coping with the pandemic

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Since the onset of the pandemic, wellbeing has come up a top priority - and many are making a conscious effort to work on it through soothing activities (30%), rest and balance (29%), as well as tech-enabled wellbeing (22%).

When an experience can leave you feeling uplifted long after it ends, would you be willing to invest time and energy into it?

According to recent research conducted on behalf of Mastercard Global Foresights, a significant number of respondents would prefer an experience they can have with their family and friends (81%); at the same time a slightly lesser number would want to visit new places so they can see and do things they’ve never done before (71%), while being open to cultural influences and learning about new cultures (66%).

A bonding experience between themselves and people they care about is the number one thing that makes an experience truly “priceless”, the research highlighted.

This survey of 17,895 consumers in 18 countries was conducted in five regions worldwide (NAM, EUR, LAC, MEA, Australia), involving the general population, aged 18 and above.

Pandemic lessons: Prioritising one’s wellbeing to better connect with others

The research found that today, people are making an effort to prioritise their wellbeing – for instance through soothing activities (30%), rest and balance (29%), as well as tech-enabled wellbeing (22%), something that has come about as a result of the pandemic.

This proactive focus on self, with an eye toward increased resilience, has thus led them to also prioritise their mental wellbeing (85%), emotional wellbeing (83%) and physical wellbeing (83%), all to find energy to connect with others.

Living life unplugged: More people are disconnecting from the screen when needed

There is no doubt that with lockdowns taking place in many countries, and the shift to remote working, people have become more reliant than ever on technology – not just to stay connected to work, but to connect with family and friends as well.

But with increased screen time, comes increased fatigue – and with that, many are now ready to focus on relaxation, be it through leisure activities like online gaming, or by escaping to the great outdoors. In fact, nearly half of people surveyed agreed that it is important to spend time unplugged without interruption from any device.

What then, are their preferred ways to unplug? On an Index, the search revealed that globally, there is above average interest (Index 100) in using nature and open spaces as an escape from everyday life, preferring road trips (175), exercise (138), remote/secluded getaways (138), and camping and hiking (125).

Moments to treasure: Quality time as a top priority

Above all, respondents in the survey shared that companionship and quality time with their loved ones are a top priority for them, with nearly three quarters stating they make a real effort to have this quality time with friends and family.

They define quality time as:

• Time with people they care about (60%), and
• Doing something they are interested in (40%).

Further, 62% noted they prefer inclusive experiences which are welcoming to diverse groups of people (68% of Gen Z s and 67% of Millennials), while 41% say it is essential that they can feel accepted and true to themselves when spending quality time with others.

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