The worldwide outbreak of the Coronavirus has clearly caused a lot of change and distress. It is difficult to know where to start with events of this nature. They range from stressful to truly tragic. It can genuinely be hard to know what to do when things like this happen. With things as they are, it can be a truly disorientating experience.
Most of us are still trying to adjust to self-isolation and working from home. It seems from this point that we can adopt one of two (or maybe a mix of two) strategies in the coming months at home.
We can refresh the news and social media feeds on the Coronavirus and perpetuate a state of anxiety which already exists, or we can use this as a chance to develop and enrich ourselves, our colleagues and our loved ones during these trying times.
Making small changes at home will help us thrive through each day and get ourselves through these tough time, perhaps even fitter, kinder and wiser.
Here are 4 strategies which may help with that.
ONE: Scheduling regular virtual check ins with colleagues to feel a sense of belonging and teamwork through troubled times
Physical distancing can seem like a danger to our social relationships and friendships. Yet this does not have to be the case.
We can leverage the physical distance as an opportunity to bring the people we care about together. Research from the field of Psychology has shown that shared adversity (that is, going through adverse experiences in each other’s lived experience) brings people closer together and can create a stronger bond between us.
Could you schedule at the end of every day a short 15-minute check in with friends and loved ones?
Call to action: Please press pause on reading this article, send an invite for weekly check ins with 3 people, then come back to read Strategy number 2.
TWO: Conducting video conferencing with personal artifacts and furniture in the background.
Another way in which those virtual catch ups can help is in seeing other peoples’ backgrounds as a window into their personalities and interests. This will allow you to create deeper connections with those in your life by opening up space for conversation and exploration of who they are.
THREE: Routine
Routines are so important particularly in this COVID-19 era.
In your previous daily routines, you would have had schedules and travel activities to keep you occupied throughout the day. However, the change in environment you are experiencing could mean you are more or less alone with your mind. Therefore, the quality of what is in your mind is going to make a huge difference to quality of life in the coming months. Being able to establish routines for yourself, and to be able to continually check in with yourself on how you are going are essential.
Call to action: Make sure you have daily routines for your physical resilience, mental resilience, emotional resilience, social resilience and spiritual resilience. For more details and tips on this, download our Resilience eBook under the Knowledge tab of Holistic Psychology website here.
FOUR: Filter what information you absorb wisely
A related point is being wise what information you absorb during this pandemic. It is very easy to find ourselves absorbed in the news and social media feeds, where we look rigorously for any bit of news which might arrive on how things are progressing.
However, this will eventually tire us mentally and physically. This is one arena where applying the notion dubbed the “locus of control” comes in use. Broadly, there are three main categories under which things fall: things we cannot control, things we somewhat control, and things we can control.
What we cannot control is what measures the government takes, how many new coronavirus cases arise tomorrow or how many people ultimately die.
What we can somewhat control is how the virus unfolds in our local community and family. For example, we can check in on loved ones and try to offer them solace, or we might offer to get the groceries for vulnerable people in the area – which ultimately have knock on effects in our communities.
What we can absolutely control is what information we absorb, our own minds hygiene, and what we do and do not pay attention to.
It is impossible (by definition) to control things that are not in our control. However, it is possible to make things that are in our control and somewhat in control, better. And that’s worth keeping in mind.
Supporting you through these difficult time
We are currently providing clients with remote coaching sessions and mental health sessions online via Telehealth videoconferencing (Zoom, WhatsApp, or FaceTime as suits you). These are still partly covered by Medicare with a GP Mental Health Care Plan referral if you like.
You can book online now by clicking Book Now button on our page. If you would prefer to book an appointment over the phone, please call our caring team on 0424537227 for assistance or if you have any questions.