Yes, it is an absolute nightmare. People have lost their livelihoods, friends, family, and freedom. The majority of individuals are still feeling the pressure of baffling uncertainty. The mind is faced with the unprecedented challenge of staying sane. Even the best of us, despite mindfulness and practice, may need a reminder or two on how to stay calm. Following some of these tips should help you stay calm in this pandemic. If not, then at least you’re distracted for a couple of minutes.
1. Don’t over-indulge the news
Compassion fatigue is a thing. Humans get desensitized to things after heavy exposure. Seeing and hearing bad news all day won’t do well for your peace of mind. Keep a routine to check the news once in the morning and once in the night. Don’t dawdle around on social media aimlessly. Sooner or later you will see and feel something negative.
2. Keep yourself engaged
Avoid thinking about the past and future perhaps it’s best to invest in an activity that will keep you grounded firmly in the now.
- Pick up a new hobby
I am a decade-old low attention span gamer. Out of all the gloominess I somehow managed to pick up reading. A year later, I have finished twenty books and can’t stop reading daily. Frequent light gardening brings me peace. Troubled by the air pollution, I bought some indoor plants and tend to them regularly.
- Start a new habit
Ever thought of standing more frequently? Prolonged sitting is plain bad for your health. Download a reminder or mindfulness app on your phone to frequently remind you to stand and do some stretches. From nail-biting to drinking more water, introspection will reveal things you have wanted to work on for so long. Sitting at home with not much to do, now is the time to work on your habits. I recommend “Atomic Habits by James Clear” if you want a very detailed guide to understanding habits.
- Learn a new work skill
With all that extra time the go-getters are holding nothing back. They are working on their skills and themselves. Don’t get left behind, start learning and perfecting your craft. Students should also make efforts to understand their goals and work on it remotely. For example, my English grammar needed some work initially so I got to it - Learn a new non-work skill
Any life skill which you can learn indoors would be good. Cooking, working on your car, communication, a language, an app; something outside of your profession. Make a list and see what interests you the most. - Keep fit
With no more commuting people are not burning as many calories. You will usually end up in a caloric surplus unless you eat less and do some mild to moderate workouts at home. Your fitness level will also determine how well you fight off covid-19. Youtube has endless training guides to get just about anybody started working out at home.
3. Communicate with friends and family
You don’t simply have to text or call your loved ones. You can now also video call and play online games. People are also more willing to connect online than ever before. With the lockdowns and travel restrictions, many folks are isolated and lonely. Tell people you are concerned about how you wish to see them soon. Make plans, fantasize a bit, catch up on old stories and tell new ones. It will lighten your mind.
Staying calm and keeping your mental health in check in any situation is about being disciplined. Your mind and body have to operate optimally for you to make the right decisions at the right time. Self-care and self-improvement will go a long way in dealing with this pandemic.