COVID-19-related challenges are not going away any time soon, and even as states begin to relax stay-at-home orders, the future remains uncertain. It’s normal to feel anxious and panicked in the face of such an unknown, and these feelings will persist unless we take steps to curb them. One of the most powerful tools to cultivate amid the COVID-19 pandemic is resiliency, which is the ability to bounce back after getting knocked down by a challenge or a difficult situation.
Resiliency doesn’t mean you’ll never face hardship or want to throw your hands in the air and scream into the clouds. It means you won’t throw in the towel. You will pick yourself up and move forward.
When it comes to strengthening your own resiliency in the face of the pandemic the first step is to take care of your physical health. Amid COVID-19, this means washing your hands and avoiding large groups. You may decide to take other precautions like wearing a face mask when in public and ordering groceries online rather than going to the store. But this also includes more basic steps like eating balanced meals, drinking enough water, and getting plenty of sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping, you can find tips on settling your mind here.
The second step, which is slightly more challenging, is creating the right mindset about the current situation. Whether you are a small business owner, a working parent, or a young person living alone, the pandemic has disrupted our daily lives and dashed even the best-laid plans. Try to surrender to what you can’t control like stay-at-home orders, internet connectivity, and your shifting moods. Recognize that what you are struggling with in this moment—whether it’s your kids, the deluge of email in your inbox, or the fact that your local coffee shop is closed—is valid but not unsurmountable. Think or journal about the times you’ve overcome adversity in the past. Create a positive affirmation you can say to yourself throughout the day like “All is well” or “I got this.” You can also practice mindfulness to help live in the moment and create a sense of calm.
The third step is to understand that you don’t have to do this alone. Reach out to supportive friends and family members to talk. Participate in our group meditations. Set up weekly chats with different members of your support system and reach out to others in the community struggling with similar issues, whether it’s other small business owners, working parents, or travel-lovers stuck at home. At the same time, be deliberate about who you connect with during this time. If someone is caught in a negative thought pattern or attitude, be careful not to let that spread to you. And if reading the news or browsing social media is making you more anxious, empower yourself to stop tuning in or updating your feed so frequently.
Keep us posted on how you are cultivating resiliency during the pandemic in the comments below.