How to stay positive and happy during COVID-19 pandemic ?

All of us are living in an unprecedented time. COVID-19 has impacted people across the globe. Our everyday life looks a lot different from what it was before the pandemic. A partial or complete lockdown has been enforced across the globe.

Naturally, all of us are worried and anxious. We may not be infected, but we are certainly impacted by this in some shape or form. However, we must remember that this is not the first pandemic. The world has seen many such pandemics and the resilient nature of our species will help us come out of it in due course.

In these challenging times, some of us enjoy certain privileges that many people don't have. However, it is difficult to understand this if we don't reflect on them. You may have already seen the following video, but if not, please watch.

I love the way in which this message was communicated. Does it make you think about the entitlement you had? Can you relate it to the current situation and think about the privileges you have?

As of 13th April 2020 around 1.9 million people have been infected by COVID-19. Over 116K people have already lost their lives. However, these numbers are only the tip of an iceberg and there are a great many people who are going to be impacted. According to the ILO (International Labour Organisation, a UN body) an equivalent of 195 million jobs would be wiped out in the Q2 of 2020. The number of people impacted by this pandemic is staggering. The worst part is the unknown nature of this spread and as of now there isn't any concrete remedy in place.

How do you feel motivated, positive or happy in such circumstances?

I think in moments like this, it is important to focus on the good things we may have in our lives and find reasons to be grateful. We can do so by reflecting on a few simple questions:

1. Have I lost a loved one because of COVID-19?
2. Am I infected with COVID-19?
3. Is there anyone in my network who is infected with COVID-19?
4. Did me, my partner, parents or siblings etc. lose their job because of this pandemic?
5. Is there anyone in my network who is stuck in hostile or uncertain conditions because of the lockdown?
6. Do I work in a sector such as hospitality, entertainment, travel etc. which is severely impacted by COVID-19 ?
7. Do I have a small business that deals in non-essential commodities?
8. Do I need to worry about payroll, taxes, pension contributions, payment to my vendors, suppliers, and reputation without any visibility on my own business, cashflow, supply chain and so on?
9. Do I need to worry about my next gig as a freelancer or next host or ride for my earning in the gig economy?
10. Do I have to be able to physically present (Assembly lines, garages, and so on) at my work location to do my job?
11. Do I live from paycheques to paycheques and have to rely on the benefit systems to support my family?
12. Do I fall in the age bracket or have existing medical conditions that make this pandemic a bit more riskier for me?
13. Do I live in a high-risk or congested neighbourhood which makes it difficult for me to observe social distancing?
14. Do I have a difficult family situation (abusive partners, families with special needs, and so on) that makes it difficult for me to stay inside all the time with them?

It is important to realise that for every NO you may have given, there may be thousands of people who would answer YES. In the current situation, we should be thankful for every NO to these questions and be grateful for the privileges we have. Maybe loads of things worked out in our favour and we were at the right place, at the right time, were in the right sector, in the right kind of job, and have the right kind of household and so on.

It is important to realise these privileges and be grateful for these to build a sense of gratitude because

Gratitude is the secret ingredient of our happiness.

The statement above is not based on theories but it is based on solid scientific studies. Robert Emmons, a leading scientific expert on gratitude, conducted research and revealed that gratitude is good for our body, mind, and relationships. In his research, he found that people who practice gratitude consistently have strong immune systems, a higher level of positive emotions, and are more compassionate, generous and helpful.

You can read more about his research in this article which is called - Why Gratitude is Good? I would also encourage you to have a look at the following video to understand how gratitude helps us become happier.

Showing gratitude doesn't mean that life is perfect. It doesn't mean that there are no troubles or complaints. It just means that

We give equal or maybe more importance to good things in life, consciously recognise them, be mindful of them, be grateful for them and let our behaviour be guided by this sense of gratefulness.

So if you are fortunate enough, be consciously grateful for simple things in life such as a

1. Reasonably healthy body and mind.
2. House to live in and food to eat for you and people in your extended network.
3. Company of family, friends, neighbours, etc. who can provide support as needed.
4. Job which you can continue to perform despite the lockdown and pandemic.
5. Group of colleagues such as your peers, managers, and team who can continue to stimulate your intellectual curiosity and keep you busy.
6. Bit of savings, financial stability and security to take care of occasional unplanned expenses.
7. Source of entertainment, a hobby or other avenues to relax and forget about all the challenges once in while.
8. Window, balcony, or a garden that you can access to get a bit closer to nature in a safe way.
9. Reasonable supply of all the necessities of life such as groceries, medicines, clean water, clean air, natural light, mobile phone, computers, network, books, and so on.
10. Beautiful mind with an ability to constantly learn, adapt, and form a vision that can drive your future behaviour and action.

I am not undermining the challenges, hardships or problems we have in our lives. We all have to deal with them and they can be troubling and unsettling. I am merely suggesting that like all the problems that are uniquely ours, we need to identify all the good things that are uniquely ours and be grateful for them. If we are happy and positive, maybe the way we deal with problems would change. Personally, I am blessed to live with my son who can help us remember songs such as 'Bare Necessities' which is so apt for the current situation.

Maybe this lockdown is an opportunity to reflect and be more grateful.

I like the way most of us are showing our gratitude by clapping for the NHS and/or showering flowers on the key workers and/or playing music to entertain neighbours. All these small acts are important and an acknowledgement of good things around us.

In these uncertain times, I genuinely believe that

A conscious acknowledgement of good things in life and a sense of gratitude will help us stay happy and positive.

This is the least we can do to help ourselves and others during this pandemic.

Be Grateful. Be Happy. Be Positive. Be Healthy. Be Safe.

And whenever you can, smile :-)