The Pandemic: Finding Certainty During Uncertain Times
Adopt your best coping mechanism…
Navigating through the horrors of a pandemic was not what we originally envisaged.
Nobody was prepared for the coronavirus and its shocking manner of taking over the entire world.
Imposed lockdown restrictions and isolation have induced more stress, worry and emotional breakdown.
Now is a perfect time to include a gentle reminder that: When hard times hit, you have to stay strong through it all.
For so many people, life is still a bit uncertain. We stay steadily convincing ourselves that things will soon go back to normal.
That glimmering hope; that belief that we are stronger than we think.
While the Pandemic continues to ravage nations, people are losing jobs, relationships are ending abruptly, some folks have lost close relations and many families have been separated.
A lot is happening, mostly unexpected too.
Mental strength
It takes more mental strength than physical, to accept the current situation.
As Allison Buskirk — Cohen, an associate professor and chair of the psychology department of Delaware Valley University alludes;
“Our bodies and brains are set up to deal with short-term crises that have clear ends in sight. Long -term ambiguous stressors -like managing the COVID-19 situation are more challenging.”
So much is being said about physical health and cleanliness, washing of hands and social distancing. However, managing your mental health is just as important.
Deal with your psychological well-being too!
Here are some coping mechanisms which you can adopt during this period:
1. Accept that this is a phase which won’t last forever.
Tough times could be like a never-ending nightmare.
It’s easy to give up and lose faith when life is uncertain.
The first step towards coping is recognizing the current situation and strategizing a way forward.
This is where we need to activate every form of mental toughness.
During this period, you may have lost a job, a contract, friend or a loved one.
You may have even lost your mind!
It’s so hard to keep faith when you are experiencing life differently. But remember, you have more power over your mind than you can ever imagine.
It is a difficult time. However, you can train your mind to think positively reassuring thoughts.
You have power over your mind- not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength- Marcus Aurelius
2. Contact the right people
People deal with issues differently.
We are experiencing a reality where most people are likely to feel overwhelmed with life’s struggles.
If you are engulfed with unexplainable emotions, it helps if you can talk to someone who will be a source of support and succor.
You can start by calling your friends or family members.
You can even talk to a therapist too, if you need one. Do some sessions online.
At this point, your mental health is too important for you to keep every emotion within you.
Harboring negative thoughts and constantly thinking about them is a recipe for disaster.
Asides looking after yourself, check on your friends and neighbors too. A phone or text message could make a difference.
You never know who needs it.
3. Be thankful and concentrate on positive events
For everything that happens, we can always pick our lessons.
This period may have exposed you to great ideas which you wouldn’t have explored if you were operating through your normal routine.
Now, you may have been forced to do some soul searching, spent more time with your family or shown up where you were truly needed.
No excuses given, no late nights.
Be grateful for family time! Be grateful for growth, new opportunities, new hobbies and self-discovery.
“Be thankful for the hard times, for they have made you”- Leonardo Wilhelm Dicaprio
4. Focus on things within your control
Jonathan Horowitz, a clinical psychologist and CEO of San Francisco Stress and Anxiety Center explains that while “we cannot control what happens to us, we can control how we respond to it, and the meaning that we make of it.”
Indeed, now is a good time for self-discovery.
Read new books, do some more physical activity, learn something exciting…do it as long as it makes you happy.
It’s about time we adjusted to the new normal. If you are a parent, how about some more home-schooling or supervision of your kids after those online school sessions?
Use your energy as much as you can. Dance, do some video-calls with your friends, attend a zoom party, send positive vibes all over.
Tough times never last, but tough people do — Robert Schuller
Remember, if you don’t help yourself, who will?
Here are some routine questions to ask yourself:
Will this period last forever?
How am I taking care of my mind and body today?
What am I grateful for today?
What is the best thing this season has taught me?
What are the helpful things I can focus on?
Am I learning something new today?
Who am I checking on and connecting with today?
Through it all, remember this quote from Henry Ford:
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.
