Tips for De-Stressing
For some, the COVID-19 crisis is the most challenging situation of their life. It’s easy to look at difficult situations like this and feel worked up and completely hopeless. Staying positive and upbeat during this global pandemic can be extremely challenging, but in all honesty, it is possible.
You can confront this current challenge head-on, without breaking under stress.
With that said, developing that kind of inner strength takes time and lots of practice. However, if you take the next several weeks and focus on these concepts, you will start on the journey of developing the strength you never knew you had.
- There is strength in numbers. Two heads are better than one, right? You are not weak if you utilize your network; you are wise. First, family and friends, can help you and keep you afloat during a crisis, so you use their strength to get your head right. Once you do that, utilize your network to help boost your finances. Have you lost a job? Go through your contacts. Who do you know that can connect you to a business that’s hiring right now? Yes, there are companies still hiring. Did your business take a substantial hit? Go through your contacts. How can you reach out to people to help serve them by creatively using your product/service? You should NEVER go through a crisis alone. There are still plenty of people in this world that are willing and able to help you right now. There are chambers of commerce, churches, local businesses, and non-profits in your community that can help direct you.
- Understand your worth. We are always our most prominent critic. The current situation is hard enough without beating yourself up - just stop. The COVID-19 crisis is not your fault at all. Seriously, the last thing on earth that you need to do is be hard on yourself. I was recently talking to someone in the sales world that was so angry that he wasn’t in the IT field right now. He went on and on about how he wouldn’t have been laid off if he wasn’t in the car sales business right now. That’s ridiculous. No one could have predicted that 2020 would have ended up the way it has. So, the first thing you need to do is focus on your worth and stop persecuting yourself, which will lead to more stress. Understand that you have value (even if the government is calling you “non-essential” right now). How can you creatively use your skills right now to get you through 2020?
- Be optimistic. Once you have focused on your worth, now it’s time to be happy. I’ve heard some people say, “this is the most challenging time the world has ever faced.” I can hardly believe my ears when I hear garbage like that. Have you heard of the persecution of Ancient Rome, the Sengoku Period, World War II, the Partition of India, the Sri Lankan Civil War, the Spanish Flu? These are just a few times in history that have been horrific. No one knows how this crisis ends, but it is possible that COVID-19 won't even end up on the top 100 list of challenging times in human history. Even if it does, it won’t last forever. Even with more deaths, the majority of people will live. Even if we end up going into a prolonged, challenging recession, it will end one day. It might be rough for you right now, and maybe even extreme, but don’t give up. Make sure to put something in front of you to hope for in the future. Focus on three things that will give you hope in 2020. How can you use this time to build better family and friend relationships? How can you be a better learner from this pain and show more empathy? How can you creatively change your life for the better?
Think about these three things: there is strength in numbers, understand your worth, and be optimistic. Make sure to use this as an opportunity to develop incredible strength that can last a lifetime.
*Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 200 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.
Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.
For more info, check out his video | https://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0
Healthy Mind, Healthy You | Emotional Wellness Advocate | Let’s Talk Surviving Narcissistic Abuse | Chef | Writer | Dog Owner
4 年Great article, Matt Zaun. I think what might be stressing some people is the uncertainty, the unknown of how long the pandemic will last. We have not ever experienced anything like this in our lifetime. I see and hear many people who can’t seem to look on the bright side just to try and be positive about what life is like right now. I’m sad for them but their mind is stuck on the fear, I think.
Matt Great ideas! I can’t believe people are beating themselves up for the field they are in. I really feel for them and agree about using their skills creatively. My colleague runs our events and is now looking at new ways to contribute. I told her we need project management and she possesses those skills as well!