Positivity can move mountains. Survival stories teach us that we need to stay positive - come pandemic or floods. Here are tips you can use to swim through these tough times.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- It's a pandemic. Almost none of us have been through any other pandemic earlier.
- Mankind survived the Spanish Flu of 1918. We shall get through COVID-19 too, do not allow the heart to feel bleak.
- Make a conscious effort to stay positive and save yourself the agony.
Fear, worry, and stress are normal responses to perceived or real
threats, and at times when we are faced with uncertainty or the unknown. The
World Health Organisation (WHO) is aware of the humanitarian crisis and has
acknowledged that it is normal and understandable that people are experiencing
fear in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When COVID-19 first emerged at the end of December 2019 in Wuhan
(China), no one could have imagined the scale it would assume. Ear 2020 began
normally for the rest of the world but was soon a washout as the disease spread
across the world.
Then came lockdowns, and news of deaths. Added to the fear of contracting the
virus in a pandemic such as COVID-19 are the significant changes to our daily
lives as our movements are restricted in support of efforts to contain and slow
down the spread of the virus.
We are approaching the mid of 2021, but life is still not back to
normal. Faced with new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment,
home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other families members, friends, and colleagues, all this is sapping the positive outlook one
previously held.
Here are some suggestions for uplifting your outlook:
Remember, you are not alone: This is the time to
know and accept that this is not about you, nor your fault. There are millions
of others in the same boat as you. We have all got to get through this,
together.
Remember it will not be this way forever. But it will pass. If
you have gotten so far, it means you have been doing something right. Give
yourself a pat on the back. In the past several months, you have approached and
handled physical, logistical, mental, and emotional challenges rather well.
Get the beauty sleep: Recall the time when
sleep was at a premium. Whether you are working from home and/or quarantine,
you have most likely cut down partly or completely on commuting time. Now is
the time to rest that alarm clock and get enough sleep before you begin the
day’s routine.
Do not stop learning: When the pandemic
began, several prestigious universities were offering the weeks-long course
online for free. Maybe they are charging some amount now. Get into that
archaeology class you always wanted. Or ask your kids to teach you some
computer games. We are only as young or old as we imagine. Learn a new language
online, learn how to make YouTube videos…, how about yoga sessions online?
Learn
to meditate: Scientific studies have proven that the practice of meditation
helps us live longer, calmer, healthier lives. There are several options and
styles available online. Find a quiet and happy corner in the house and learn
this skill. It will also boost your immunity by strengthening the Vagal Nerve Complex.
Practice gratefulness. The world may be in a
chaotic state today. But you have a roof over your head. You have knowledge
that will help you survive. Even when life seems bleak, there are things we
still have for which we should be grateful. Keep a gratefulness journal or do a
quick morning gratefulness meditation. What to be grateful for? Your home and
shelter, your health, your family, your friends, your ability to put food on
your table, and other essentials. It helps you feel better.
Get moving and work out your muscles.
Exercise. This should be part of your daily routine already. Apart from its
physical benefits, exercising releases endorphins in your body, which trigger
feelings of positivity. Plan your day ahead and stick to schedules, so you do
not have to skip this activity.
Pick up a hobby. It could be
gardening, cooking, crochet knitting… even reading. Dust your bookshelf. Reread
that book you read with joy 10 years ago. Feel the fountains of joy erupt in
your heart when flowers bloom in the garden.
Stay connected to friends and family,
digitally: Just because we’re all practising social distancing, it doesn’t
mean we can’t stay in touch with our family and friends. Thanks to all the
communication technology most of us in the industrialized world have access to,
you can have virtual parties and concerts, and you can make video calls, chat
online.
Write a journal: Years later, you can
look back upon this time and maybe pen a book about how you got through the
pandemic.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness program or making any changes to your diet.
