Simple Ways to Handle COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Related Stress! - Hema Chakravarti

We are social beings --- the need to belong, to be accepted, loved and respected is so important for us. However the current situation demands that we isolate ourselves and remain confined in our homes with our families and connect to the outer world through audio / visual media. Thank god for technology but it can get impersonal too. We miss meeting the people we relax and enjoy with. Our chats over coffee, watching movies together, our walks and even going to work. We miss our routine what we have so long been accustomed to. 

I would like to share some simple ways to handle this phase:

Firstly we need to keep reminding ourselves that this is a temporary period, a passing phase. Very soon we will get back to our routine and look back at this period in terms of lessons learnt, possibly the patience that we have developed which was earlier not there and the challenges we faced that might have changed us forever.

Also aren’t we the blessed ones as there are so many who are without food, shelter and even far away from family, whose basic needs are not met and are struggling to survive.

At times I feel, shifting focus from our problems and reaching out to people, the poor or the aged, helps us in turn. These actions, irrespective of the type or kind, distracts us from the existing problem and lifts us up with a greater sense of responsibility & well-being towards others.

And can we deny the “ I don’t have time ” syndrome ? I wonder how many times in the past did we complain or excused ourselves saying “ I don’t have time ”. So this is the time to learn a new skill, develop a new hobby, connect with old friends and of course, spend time with family.

Its painful when the ANTS bite, isn’t it ? 

Yes, ANTS or Automatic Negative Thoughts can be at the core to so many problems. In case we feel extremely anxious given the current scenario, we need to check whether our fears are realistic or exaggerated, are we catastrophizing or thinking in terms of black and white with no shades of grey. 

Like “what if we don’t get milk and food and all the supplies around us get exhausted ? ”, “ is USA under recession, I might end up losing my job !!! ” or else “ Oh you should have kept the bag outside, it should have been sanitized first !!!”

So STOP !!! Lets check our thoughts because how we think affects how we feel and in turn, how we behave. It will help alleviate our feelings of loneliness and fear. We need to be role models for others around us giving hope, courage and strength to everyone for “Stars only shine in darkness”.