Living without certainty
It goes without saying that we are currently living and working in a period of great uncertainty, even with more and new information about COVID-19 being shared daily by governments, health experts, businesses and organisations.
We are all trying to understand the immediate impact of the advice and guidance we are receiving as well as trying to make sure we do the right thing for those we care about, not forgetting the wider welfare of our communities and the world economy as well.
It is easy to add to our concerns and worries when we share information & sometimes rumours and speculate about things through our general chat with others; we have already seen people acting in ways that are unhelpful due to fear and panic.
Coping with uncertainty
Here are some helpful tips on how to cope well during this time of unpredictability.
Isolation – Isn’t natural for human beings – Humans are sociable creatures and being isolated for periods of time can have significant impact on our mental health and feelings of connectedness, so:
1. maintain contact – use social media, video conferencing apps like, WhatsApp or FaceTime
2. reach out to those who you know are on their own or those who may be feeling; or are already vulnerable to the virus.
3. get outside into an open space for some nature time (assuming it is safe to do so).
Community and Generosity – Not many of us in the developed world in this generation have had to experience scarcity.
1. Work together to provide for the community – this will reduce fear and result greater collective support.
2. Re-calibrate our thinking and actions to a “real need” rather than “must have now”, panicked and irrational thinking and behaviour.
3. Being mindful of others needs and sharing helps mental health – they are known aspects of making people’s lives happier.
Controlling what you can control – the right mind-set and being focused on what you can do when things around you are less certain is a great help.
1. Take control – make a list of jobs you’ve been meaning to complete around the home such as organising paperwork, spring cleaning, even hanging that picture you’ve been meaning to put up on the wall for weeks
2. Deliberately get in touch with people – aim to reach out to one person you haven’t been in touch with for a while per day Share what is going on with your family and friends
3. Be Positive about the future – don’t forget to look up and view the road ahead. Our governments and communities will have found the best ways for living and dealing with COVID-19 and it will eventually be gone so what can you see in 6 months time?
By broadening your thinking and your vision of the future, by adapting to the temporary changes we are all having to face, you’ll feel less overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the present. It might be a little bumpy for a while, but you know we’ve all weathered many storms personally, as families, in business and in society, so we’ll make it through the other side of this storm if we keep in contact with one another, have a spirit of community and generosity to one another, control the controllable and look positively to the future.