This Too Shall Pass...Until Then…

If there ever was a 10-year-challenge for the world as we know it, the results would seem unreal. The pandemic has engulfed us with uncertainty and to say that life is not normal is to put it mildly. Which means, that our thoughts, feelings, goals have all been shaken-up and the new normal is rather unsettling. We are afraid and overwhelmed. But it is okay. 

It is okay to feel overwhelmed. It is okay to be afraid. It is okay to not be okay always. 

Remember we can fix this and make it across…because when all this is over, it is our resilience that will  take us through and resilience, can be built. 

Here is how… 

1.     Be kind to yourself. Self-compassion is crucial to avoid being a defeatist and staying positive. Be kind to others- everyone is dealing with something we know nothing of, spare them the insecurity. 

2.     Be grateful, be helpful. We are all on the same stormy sea but on different vessels. Look beyond yourself. Help when you can. It will give you a higher sense of purpose. 

3.     Put things in perspective. Write down what troubles you and what usually helps you. Make a list with names of people you can count on. This will help you prepare and not catastrophize. 

4.     Stay connected- social distancing does not mean emotional distancing. Check in on friends and relatives. 

5.     Sleep right and maintain a routine. Well rested equals better mood. 

6.     Get up and get going. Exercise in any form is extremely useful to combat stress and anxiety. Assign yourself a partner. It’s more fun with a friend. 

7.     Practise progressive muscle relaxation. Tighten your muscles, from top to toe, focus, breathe then relax. 

8.     Avoid an overdose of uppers (mood and energy elevating food) and downers. Do not self-medicate. Surround yourself with what you love instead. Be it family, pets, faith, music, plants…remember your home is your refuge. Believe. 

9.     Learn to let go. Sometimes things go wrong in-spite of our best efforts and it almost never is one person’s fault. Cut yourself some slack. Overthinking is wasted effort and counter-productive. 

10.  Reach out. There are two kinds of people who can help you when you are upset or feeling unsettled; your inner circle (family/friends/partner) or/and a mental health professional. Figure out who can help you best and talk to them. Heed to their advice if it sounds safe and doable. Please reach out to a Counsellor if you long for genuine, non-judgemental support and cathartic relief. Sometimes, a different perspective or reassurance may be all you need. It is okay to cling on to another person's belief in us till our own self-belief kicks.

The vaccine is here. The economy is improving. Hope is around the horizon. Things will get better and this too shall pass… until then, hold on. Please don’t let go. 

?Within us lies the power to re-adjust and recover, to lend a hand and surround ourselves with hope. It is what we do with what we have, for those around us, that makes us who we are. So if you want to pull it together then do it together, for together we are stronger.