What’s corona-holism?
“Corona-holism” is the “continued excessive or compulsive thoughts about coronavirus” (source: author). This is typically characterised by the inability to control reading, hearing, thinking, talking and watching news about Covid-19 (“It”).
Corona-holism is rapidly overtaking It in creating pandemonium worldwide. Left unchecked, this will have adverse impact on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, and weaken overall resilience to It.
Why flatten the corona-holic curve?
“What you think, you become” – Buddha.
By responding with calmness, constructive lifestyle habits and attitudes rather than fear, anxiety and panic, we charge up our immune system and boost our defences against It.
In doing so, we are better able to protect ourselves, our loved ones and communities. We have an individual and collective responsibility to halt corona-holism. Where are you on the curve (positions 1, 2 or 3)?
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If you answered mostly ‘2 times or fewer’, you’re at position 1 on the curve.
Congratulations!
You’re a curve flattener! Influence others to join you!
You’re managing your time, actions and emotions in a constructive way.
You’re keeping yourself informed in a sustainable way, whilst avoiding overload. You’re not feeling compelled to read every single piece of information that comes your way. You take care to protect yourself by being vigilant about hygiene and self-care.
You may experience some occasional stress although you’re choosing to handle it in a constructive way. You manage the situation with minimal drama and emotion.
You’re choosing to channel your time and energy into your own work, volunteering to help those in need, projects and hobbies. You’re creative in finding ways to have fun and keep fit and healthy at home (sharing fun jokes, watching comedy, on-line fitness and yoga and meditation classes) and spending time with family.
Good job! Please help others flatten the curve.
If you answered mostly ‘3 to 4 times’, you’re at position 2 on the curve.
Good job!
You’re in the middle of the curve. You’re managing OK, but can you do better?
Right now, you can just about handle the situation. However, pay attention to how you’re spending your time and energy to get down the curve.
You may be absorbing grim information from the news and others. You also feel the urge to share..
Sharing is caring? Maybe not.
Are you feeling that negative news makes you feel more worried, stressed, anxious? If grim news affects you and fake news confuses you, chances are that sharing it may heighten others’ fear, anxiety and confusion too. Monitor the frequency of your news intake throughout the day.
Spend more time on constructive projects, hobbies and interests. Now’s a great time to start or finish those things on the back burner.
If you’re healthy, have protective gear and feel a calling to help others in need, why not check out how you can support one of the volunteer groups around you?
If you answered mostly ‘5 times or more’, you’re at position 3 on the curve.
You’re a corona-holic.
Take action now to rein in the pandemonium.
You’re feeling anxious, fearful and even panicky from listening to, hearing and talking about the same topic. You’re likely to be distracted and have difficulties focusing on anything else.
You wonder why others are not as stressed, fearful and anxious as you are. You’re unintentionally spreading corona-holism to those around you (including your loved ones) by constantly sharing grim news with them, even if there is nothing they can do about it.
Be considerate in sparing others from information overload. Pause and reflect before sharing. Does it serve any purpose to share? How could this information affect them? Share only when there is something useful, constructive and actionable by them.
Just like you’ve become more mindful of physical hygiene, it’s time to declutter your mind and invest your energy in constructive, positive actions.
5 tips to help you flatten the curve:
Tip #1: Resist the desire (however compelling) to read, watch or listen to everything you receive. Create healthy boundaries and introduce quotas to your news intake.
Tip # 2: Do whatever is in your power to manage the situation as best you can, then try to let go. If there’s nothing more you can do, worrying about it doesn’t help.
Tip # 3: Find constructive outlets to channel your nervous energy. Is there someone you can help? What’s on your ‘to do’ list? Have you: cleaned the home? cleared out clutter? connected with a family member, relative, friend? read that book? enrolled on that online course? filed your tax return…?
Tip # 4: Increase your resilience by engaging in activities that help you to destress (eg. yoga, meditation, laughter, soothing music, dancing, online fitness classes).
Tip # 5: This crisis has highlighted the fragility of life. How do you want to be remembered? What constructive actions can you take to move towards that?
Help us flatten the curve by better managing ourselves, our reactions and emotions to find stability and peace amidst it all.