Marathon runners prepare thoroughly for a race—not just physically, but mentally as well. They have psychological strategies to push through tough moments and a tactical plan to manage their race, based on knowledge of the course and their competitors. The entire population has now been running a collective marathon for over five weeks. However, they were unprepared for this exceptional event: no physical training, no mental support for the race, no tactical plan for how to endure until the finish line.

The COVID-19 measures are starting to take a psychological toll. COVID fatigue is setting in, with some people longing for their old, normal lives. Although the government and scientists urge us to keep going, persevering requires more and more energy. Some people are losing their self-control and are becoming more careless with the measures. The question then arises: how can we replenish our energy reserves? Based on the ongoing COVID study "How are you doing at home?", it appears that investing in your own psychological needs for autonomy, connectedness, and competence boosts our resilience and helps protect us against COVID fatigue.

Last weekend, a debate arose about the precise interpretation of certain measures, such as who is allowed to rest on a park bench. Since various politicians and scientists offered their opinions, this led to some confusion among the public. It is crucial that, when refining and eventually phasing out the measures, it is clearly explained what is expected of the public and why certain efforts remain necessary. According to the results of the corona study by Ghent University, this is essential to keep the population motivated to faithfully adhere to the measures until the end of the lockdown.

To achieve great results, top athletes must train daily and take good care of themselves. Motivation plays a key role in this process. Without a strong dose of healthy motivation, they wouldn't be able to keep up with their demanding training routines. During these coronavirus times, the population’s motivation to adhere to the prescribed measures is also being tested. A study we conducted at Ghent University shows that, overall, our sustainable motivation is currently in a good place, although there are differences between individuals. This is good news because motivation is a strong predictor of how well we follow the measures and, consequently, how much we can limit the spread of the virus. If the daily motivation measurements indicate that our motivation is starting to wane, the government can intervene with targeted, motivational communication to steer things back on track.