Coronavirus Got You Spinning? 8 Tips to Stay Sane
/If you’re freaking out about this coronavirus “thing,” you’re definitely not alone. I think the word “pandemic” on its own can trigger deep fear. We know that this situation is going to have long-term ramifications, both politically and economically in addition to health. All the uncertainty and the continued media attention to death tolls and “we’re not prepared for this” can create a climate where people start to suffer the effects of complex trauma.
Here’s what I’m doing about it:
Acknowledge and make space for your fear. This one can be challenging. The energy of fear is very “exciting,” which often makes us feel like we’re coming out of our individual (and lately, collective) skin. It’s an energy that’s hard to contain, so it’s crucial to practice mindfulness and self-compassion because we’re all bound to act out in one way or another. Seek progress not perfection. … Sometimes just naming fear or saying, “I’m feeling afraid right now” can take the charge out of the experience.
Practice developing “witness consciousness.” WTF does that mean? It means that you are not your thoughts, and you don’t have to ride the crazy train when it rolls by. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking the worst . . . but doing so won't help you mobilize your resourcefulness or creativity or protect you from anything. So start noticing your own mind chatter. You don’t have to engage with it—you can simply allow those fearful thoughts to be there, imagining that they’re rain clouds in an otherwise serene blue sky. You’re the sky. Thoughts are the clouds. There’s nothing in clouds, so let ‘em pass without trying to hang on or push them away. “Witness your thoughts without attachment or aversion. Return to your center.” You may need to repeat this process 853,427 times in a minute, and that’s OK!
Decide how you want to respond to your fear. There’s space between the stimulus and your response, even though it may be small or brief. In that space is where your power of choice can be exercised. You do NOT have to buy into the hype to find a sense of safety. You can choose at any time and in any moment to redirect your perception to something that’s helpful for you and those around you.
Take action from a place of neutrality. Notice I didn’t suggest finding the vibration of love or joy. I get it - that’s way too far from fear on the emotional scale to access. But if you can get to neutral…well, that’s a place where clarity comes. How do you get to neutrality? My go-to ways that worked today: exercise, journal, breathe deeply, get outside, look for the opportunities possibilities, remember the other ways you’ve been resourceful, talk to someone caring and compassionate, and eat healthy food.
Maintain your sense of humor. Let me be clear: This virus isn’t funny. The economic and social impacts are not funny. There’s really nothing about this at all that’s funny. It’s a no-shit serious situation. AND!!! There’s still room to find the lighter side. In our household, we choose to watch funny TV shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and listen to people like Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, and John Oliver who know how to talk about serious stuff with humor. I watch my cats play, notice dogs being dogs, and feed my brain with happy stuff.
Connect with people. I’m a pro at this “social distancing” thing because I’m an introvert. Half of us around the world are rejoicing that we’re being encouraged to stay home. HOWEVER. We NEED community to weather this storm. Look people in the eye. You don’t have to touch them. Also don’t breathe on anyone. Use FaceTime, Zoom, and other tech options to SEE people. I’m not a fan of social media because my feed usually says the sky is falling, but I’m using it to stay in touch with people. Direct messaging is the way to go. Also, I’ve been sending more texts and making more calls than usual. You don’t have to stop talking to people entirely; leverage technology to stay connected.
Do something helpful for others. One of my friends asked her social media community if anyone needed her to run errands or sit with kids. She’s also a yoga teacher, so I suggested she lead a meditation online. Then I decided I should do that, too. You’ve got mad skills. Use them to do good in the world in ways that make sense right now.
Remember: THERE WILL ALWAYS BE GOOD IN THE WORLD.
Y’all, chances are that if you’re reading this you’re one of the lucky ones. We have access to resources that others don’t.
Focus on what you have and what you can give.
If you play the what-if game, play the game that has you being of service to others—and that includes keeping your thoughts, words, and actions on “what cultivates health.” Don’t look for the helpers. BE one of the helpers. It’ll start to frame the experience differently and offer you a sense of empowerment.
One of the benefits of practicing yoga and weaving its philosophy throughout your life is this: You embody the ability to respond intelligently to life as it arises.