You will have noticed how, over the past week and the weekend that it is really hard to escape the very latest about the Corona virus. It’s in our daytime conversations, in our social media, and in our faces 24 hours a day. The information around us continually. The subject never goes away. What surrounds us is not simply the latest news. It’s the reorientation of our thinking and our lives into treating life like an emergency.
The following might be a useful tool to remember in the busy, and unpredictable times. We’re using the mneumonic SANER so its easier to remember ( We tried using Inwit and it just didn’t work ! )
Slow Down
There is a constant demand to keep up with information around the latest news and impact of the Corona Virus.It can be a daily habit of tuning in. That can morph into something obsessive.And we just have these intrusive thoughts all the time. We know the flu has ramifications. Politically and economically and socially. Of course its impact health wise is a very present danger for others and for our selves. That’s a lot of heavy information to carry in our minds. At the same time we are trying to get on with the tasks of work and family life. Allow me to say - slow down and deliberately manage the strong emotions all this produces. At any one time we can handle or juggle1 or 2 things. I don’t think we can juggle any more than 2 strong emotional subjects or thinking demands simultaneously. Its like trying to handle 3 shopping items in one. we finish up dropping something. Don’t feed the fear trying to accumulate all the news. People are also balancing home life, and all the issues that emerge in this changing landscape day by day. The message here is Slow down. We need to be deliberate about our pace of thinking and seeing every thing as urgent or potentially deadly. Again have a mindset that doesn’t dwell or feed the fear. Keep walking and active. But be deliberate to slow even the pace of these things down just a notch. Many of us are dealing with constant intrusive thoughts present and future. Slowing down will mean taking your foot of the pedal. Taking time to breathe. Time to think. Time to observe things around us and time to listen.
Attitude
Despite the ever changing circumstances, it is important to accept the reality of what it is we cannot change. Having conversations with others or ourselves which constantly demand that this virus should go away will not help.We are regrettably stuck with this for a time to come. Not forever. But a good time. We will need to be deliberate in developing a good attitude rather than a negative monologue replaying in our heads. It will make a difference. Choosing to accept the things we can’t change. Getting on with the things we can change. Making an impact on those things which we can effect or change. This will prevent us from losing control. It will leave us in a better mind frame.
Networking
This is simply about taking the initiative and keeping in contact with other people. Network with people at work who are now working from home. Be active in keeping up with friends and family. It’s easier in these times to turn inwards. We can curve in on ourselves and socially isolate. Its in that inward space that people will darkly ruminate. People contact will be very important at this time. We will be restricted by common sense and Government at the moment from a lot of face to face contact. But that should not stop us connecting via various platforms. Be deliberate about networking. Pick up your mobile. Getting onto messaging platforms is important to your mental health. It will make a difference to other people, when you initiate and reach out as well.
Exercise
In pre Covid-19 times one of the suggested antidotes to feeling depressed or being anxious was doing exercise. So much has been taken from those who are serious about their physical health. No gyms or cross fit or sport. No swimming. No kick boxing. No team sports.
Get out and about in any way you can. Be intentional and be active. Make it part of daily routine Go for walks around your neighbourhood. At this time of Autumn a walk in the park in the morning or evening is very pleasant. Go for a bike ride. Or go for jogs. We all know the drill. It will release endorphins. Burn off the calories. And give you a sense of accomplishment. It will make you feel better. Social isolation can lead to us becoming sedentary. We can easily over eat. Drink too much and fall into damaging habits. Being deliberate about exercise and being deliberate about being active is going to be important for your mental health.
Routine
Routine is living by design and not by default. These times require us to be organised and to bring some order and personal choices into our lives. It is easier to default to the voice of media and voices in the public square. Their choice and voice for us is an abundance of vigilance. This can translate to something akin to fear. The media is our servant. Not our Master. Consuming media will put you in an anxious place. Common sense and caution about world events,at this time, is prudent. Consuming a little but not a lot. Feeding the stories in conversation with negative people feeds the angst. However it’s important to assert control over life if only in the space of your own house or local community. Capitulating to the media world or negative people which contains voices of doom and gloom is to deliberately surrender your own voice and have no contrary opinion. Make a choice what you will listen to or view. When you will listen or view it. How much you will consume. From the time we get up and make our beds, until the end of the night, we need to orientate ourselves towards being purposeful. Both in what we do, and for people who depend on us to be calm. Those people who are at home. Older family members. Children who are worried. Our friends. Or the people we work with. Or people in our community We do that by routine and living deliberately. Routine is the opposite of just turning up.
Just remember,
Slow down
Attitude
Networking
Exercise
Routine
