Embrace this preventive confinement phase, with no regret for missing out on such an opportunity to become the healthier and fulfilled version of ourselves and emerge with a stronger sense of psychological resilience, rekindled relation and a renewed appreciation of life. I aspire that we emerge from this crisis, mentally prepared and psychologically empowered!
Tsewang Nuru Sherpa
We are currently residing in one of the most challenging times, as repercussions led by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The global effort to fight the virus is in full swing, incorporating all the strategies, and vaccine developments. However, the dire thought of impending sickness has catapulted the denizens into sheer anxiety. The plethora of never-ending news coverage and discussions dominated by the subject of COVID-19 has made us ponder the foreseeable future. For sure, its inextricably hard to fathom the situation right now, with people losing their jobs, education institutions halting the progress of the courses, and continuity of apprehensive on the health of our beloved ones. It is not easy to stay hopeful and be optimistic amidst such a pandemic pandemonium.
While the media has been feeding the world with its perpetuation of coverage on cases being increased exponentially in parallel with deaths, and sufferings, the much-needed conversation on the aspect of wellbeing amidst such a crisis has been brutally ignored. Like everyone, I can’t blatantly avoid the preventive mechanism vested in washing hands, and sanitizers as its extremely significant to protect oneself. Also, the coping mechanism is much more profound and should also incorporate strengthening the wellbeing as well as an immune system from the inside.
With the catastrophic unrolling of abstruseness, now more than ever might seem like a bizarre time to ponder on being positive. Yet, staying optimistic and hopeful is the basic foundation of successful coping during such a crisis, and I have incorporated this aspect of positivity into my lockdown routine. Coping with crisis and healing from them is an ongoing battle but achievable. However, we often forget this, when we’re handwashing, sanitizing, stockpiling and maintaining a physical distance.
Know the facts.
With just one click away from every possible information, it is facile to succumb to fear in the face of uncertainty and unpredictability, through misinformation. The ubiquity of misinformation can render sheer confusion, as people during the crisis are relatively improbable to not reassess the filters through which they behold reality. Thus, it’s indispensable to be vigilant and focus on the reliable source of information, and accordingly assess the balance of what we should do, what we are capable of doing it, and should not. The information should also be utilized to assess the situation of where you stand amidst the pandemic, and whether you are in the discerning position to help others or receive help.
Focus on what you can do
Feeling vulnerable and impotent amidst this crisis is a ubiquitous. I was guilt tripped in reading about medical personnel working, at the cost of risking their lives, whilst I’m hunkered in a close confinement, and not contributing at all. However, realizing that by staying at home, and taking the much-needed initiative to self-isolate, I was fulfilling my responsibility of inhibiting the further spread of the virus. It is extremely important that we stay at home, and collectively contribute our parts in breaking the chain.
Focus on areas that you have control over, which includes self-maintenance by maintaining personal hygiene, eating well, as well as helping your neighbors by checking on them, and investing your time in boosting personal connection over virtual calls.
Create routines.
Being mindful of the free time, and its concomitant temptation to binge Netflix and laze around can yield inefficacy. Planning and executing a new set of routines that incorporates a multitude of hobbies, passions, and interest can aid in connecting us to what matters in life and helps us look forward to each day during this lockdown. Daily routines based on structure, can strengthen our sense of purpose. The most effective routines help in connecting our personal needs for competence, and thus, I’ve been mobilizing my time to continue learning: brushing up my Spanish, coding, and destressing with some fun paintings. I have strategized my days with schedules from normal working days and have thoroughly stuck to the daily grind of following it wholeheartedly.
Strengthen your connections.
Our individualistic, hectic life schedules have accustomed us in leading our daily lives in isolation, accompanied by the competitive mindset. Since the inception of lockdown, I have realized that we desperately crave for connection, and have discovered renewed treasure in the connection I have developed with my dear ones. This uncertain time renders multiple avenues for psychological growth and a time to strengthen our relationships with the people. One of the things I cherish dearly is to have amazing friends all over the world, and of course my family.
Now is the opportunity to spend some quality time, if you are the lucky ones running this lockdown marathon with your loved ones or family. Take moments to jump off of social media and have conversations about the past times as these gestures can strengthen your closeness and bonds. leveraging our access to audio and video technology can also be used in staying in touch, whilst the cadence of the hectic life slowly recedes. Personally, staying rooted to my connection among my family and friends’ circles have been an indispensable journey during these past days.
Look for the beauty in the faces of pandemic.
Ever since the inception of the outbreak, there are sheer chaos and confusion that have dominated the world, bringing out the best and the worst in people. As clearly evident by so many great examples, I like to firmly believe that the crisis has given so many opportunities for the people to bring their best character forward. Philanthropists are donating money speeding up the process of identifying a cure, medical staff is working tirelessly, neighbors have initiated helping their community members in groceries and positive messages around social media have sprinkled seeds of hope and optimism. In addition, these aspects of the crisis can reassure hope in people and unify them in solidarity for the greater purpose of combating the virus.
Looking in the beauty amidst such global pandemic springs happiness. Focusing on such powerful emotions is not just about feeling happy and positive, it’s about having a strong outlook grounded by the persuade of that beauty and viewing todays crisis with a constructive perspective.
Reflect and reframe.
As selfish as it sounds, the lockdown time unapologetically offers an unexpected opportunity for re-alignment, awareness, and growth. I strongly think that this is an outlandish opportunity for slowing down and reflecting on life. With the halt on daily hecticness over the quietude of modern life, it is time to reassess our priorities, objectives and life’s purpose and transcendence. Amidst all these conundrums, while I ponder on my life, I have developed a renewed sense of gratitude for the life I get to live, and the wide connections of people that have contributed in making me the person I’m today, ranging from my family, friends to all the farmers, food producers, as well as medical staffs, workers that make up a vital chain of support. Focusing on my physical pursuits of staying active and maintaining stable emotional health through solo running and exercise have showered me with reframing my clarity.
Every dark cloud has a silver lining, and this is our time to thicken that lining to adamantly take control of our mental health, and stay psychologically strong, perhaps even grow from this transformative experience. Embrace this preventive confinement phase, with no regret for missing out on such an opportunity to become the healthier and fulfilled version of ourselves and emerge with a stronger sense of psychological resilience, rekindled relation and a renewed appreciation of life. I aspire that we emerge from this crisis, mentally prepared and psychologically empowered!