Lockdown Practical Strategies: Developing a Strong Mind When Everyone Else is Losing Theirs
People are panicking. They’re stressed and hoarding and panic buying. Get on social media, and everyone and their plumber is going on and on about the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, you are probably doing the same. I certainly have to fight my own temptation to dwell on it in every conversation! It fills our lives because it is the reality we are living with right now.
However it is important to remember that it is not ALL of our everyday reality.
While the coronavirus is a serious matter and is cause for concern, it’s still no excuse to get sucked into the current whirlwind of fake news, panic and stress that is sweeping the world.
- The truth is that…
*No one has any answers and the facts keep changing daily.
*You can’t trust the media because they’ll make any situation seem worse than it already is.
*People are making things harder than it needs to be by clearing the store shelves and hoarding.
*You could try explaining to them that their actions are unnecessary because supply chains are still strong… and there are no shortages other than the ones people are creating through panic. But most won’t listen and you’ll just get aggravated by the stupidity of your fellow (wo)man.
So, how do you stay calm when so many are worried?
- Stop following the news and/or hysteria on social media
The best way to strengthen your mind is to stop feeding it garbage.
Governments lie at worst and at best are just unable to make sense of a completely unpredictable unknown enemy. No one really knows if the situation in China has gotten better or how many cases there were in the first place.
Most people are clueless. Just a few months ago, they were jumping out of their cars to do the Kiki dance challenge, and suddenly now they’re virologists speculating about why deaths increased in Italy.
Engaging in pointless arguments with them is unnecessary and deeply frustrating. The situation is what it is and the healthcare professionals and authorities will do whatever they can to manage the problem. One thing we have have a lot of evidence for is just how dedicated the healthcare field is to alleviating suffering caused by this virus. We can trust that!
You worrying unnecessarily is not going to help you. In fact, you’re doing a disservice to yourself because stress lowers your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to disease.
- Exercise daily
Nervous energy, fear, and other unhealthy emotions tend to ‘snowball’ within you. There MUST be an outlet for this negative energy and nothing beats physical exercise as a form of release.
When you work out, you help to expend all that pent up energy within you and your body also releases endorphins that will make you feel better. This is a win-win.
Ideally, you should engage in exercises that occupy both your mind and body. For example, following a home workout on video will help you focus on the training rather than drifting into your own thoughts. If you were to run on a treadmill which is an exercise you can do on ‘autopilot’, you’ll end up thinking of other worrying scenarios rather than focusing on your training.
Your body needs movement and your mind needs a mental break. Engage in activities that appeal to you and find classes online for them to engage both your mind and body.
- Stay busy
An idle mind is a 'devil’s workshop'. As long as you’re in pursuit of a worthy goal and busy with what needs to be done to get there, you’ll not have time to worry about what’s the worst that could happen.
Any fears and worries you have about COVID-19 are all in your mind and you will become a prisoner to your imagination if you continue to fret at this. Put your mind to work on something else and you’ll be less stressed.
- Prayer, contemplation/meditation
There is immense power in praying/focusing positive thoughts and wishes/contemplating. These practices help to remove stress from your life because you’re now living by faith in the fact that you are doing something to contribute to a healing of the whole and not just leaving it up to unseen humans and Governments 'out there'. It may seem strange to do but there are many examples of how the power of group meditation or prayer can lead to decreased crime or unexpected healing. There are many groups online who are reegularly meeting and just sitting together quietly focusing in positive outcomes for us and the planet.
- Be safe
Take all the necessary health precautions to protect yourself and your family. You do not want to deal with the guilt of having a lackadaisical attitude which raises the risks of getting the disease.
- Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.
Life goes on. Despite the food shortages due to hoarding, or the lockdown, or possible unemployment and recession… DECIDE that you will be resilient and adapt to the situation. Then do it.
You can and you will rise and overcome this situation.
To conclude, just know that all you can do is your best… and that’s enough. If you’ve taken all the necessary precautions to minimize your risks, you’ve done enough. Just don’t give in to panic or fear. Neither is real. You have what it takes to overcome anything. Have faith in yourself. Remember, “You can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow.” – Janis Joplin
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