Navigating through troubled times

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There is no doubt that this global pandemic is a threat both to life and to life as we know it. Collectively we are in shock.

Some of the suffering we are experiencing is less about what’s happening to us and more derived from our projected fears about what it means and what will happen in the future.

It’s instinctive and totally natural to be scared in these rapidly changing circumstances. The illusion of control that we normally have is shattered and our lizard brains, trying their best to protect us from danger (the unknown) are going bonkers with the uncertainty and unfamiliarity of it all.

Beyond getting us to adopt good hygiene practises, fear doesn’t do much to improve the situation.  In fact, when our bodies are in fight/flight/freeze (aka in fear) our immune system is under pressure and our thinking is impeded. We are less able to be our resourceful, resilient, creative selves.

The good news is even though how we feel may not seem like a choice; it is.

We can be selective about the thoughts we focus on. By doing so we have more power than it might seem, to cope well in this difficult time.

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I dipped deep into fear myself for 24 hours this week. Pulling myself out of it gave me a great reminder of what works to help us feel better and act more effectively.

Here are a few suggestions for you to try:

  • Minimize your exposure to environments where fear and drama are prevalent

  • Increase your exposure to whatever is healthily soothing for you, music, gardening, sex, baths, cooking etc

  • Practise physical distancing rather than social distancing, we need connection to thrive

  • Eat well

  • Look for the gifts and what’s possible in these changed circumstances, rather than focusing on what you have lost/may lose

  • Help someone else

  • Count your blessings

  • Embrace change as an opportunity to grow/learn something new

  • Keep it in the moment as much as possible

  • Take practical steps to adjust where required, don’t expend energy ruminating on solving imagined worst-case future scenarios

  • Look after your health

  • Remember this too will pass

Individually and collectively, we get stuck due to the instinctive lizard brain fear of change yet often after an unwanted and uncomfortable change triggered by a health issue, redundancy, bereavement or divorce people find a new lease of life, new priorities and new ways of doing things.

In the big picture what is happening is already a catalyst for some positive changes. We are discovering we can work from home, travel less, change policy quickly.

It is already teaching us how much we need each other, inspiring acts of caring, giving many of us a prompt to slow down and reminding us all we are not in control.

There will be many more positives come out of this experience, especially when we turn our attention to look for them. By doing that we can contribute to our collective recovery.

While this voyage unfolds be kind to yourself and each other.

Know that we are all doing our best and that there will be a time again soon when things feel happier and easier.

Ready to start your new chapter?

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