The pandemic times are uneasy times for many of us. Adding to the fear of an impending infection are the fears of instability, chaos and even mortality. We have been going through the turmoil for many months now, starting as early as 2019 October, waning our patience slowly. It maybe difficult to be at peace, but this is just what is needed for us.
For the many elders who have already witnessed the worst in life such as wars, famines, political upheavals and recession, the pandemic might yet another reminder of an unstable world. But for the many middle-aged/ young adults who have been spared the many vagaries of life, the pandemic is not fuel to an already burning fire. To them, this long-lasting and never-ending saga of lockdowns, work from home and digital over-exposure in addition to the fear of the disease might be an emotionally draining experience, often adding to stress induced by an erratic lifestyle.
This is particularly true of women cooped up in apartments with a sudden responsibility to look after children, cook and clean and maintain a happy front to all, often away from the support mechanisms such as those of their own kith and kin. Spouses may not be as emotionally supportive as needed, and this may lead to imbalances such as ill-health and even depression.
This blog tries to list the many ways by which we can overcome the many challenges thrown to us by the pandemic. (This is not to forget another section of society that exists on the sidelines, the margins of society, because they have a different set of challenges; or the elderly who stay alone, with yet another set of problems)
For the rest, these suggestions may be helpful:
- Keeping a Daily Journal: For those who have experienced it, writing is a sure-shot way towards healing. Writing down every day experiences and challenges, in addition to your thoughts bring out a way to face these issues head-on, thereby giving more insights into our “selves”. This helps us tremendously. Its more like telling someone our worries.
2. Taking it Lightly: For issues that are not too serious, taking it in a lighter vein might help. For example, smaller things that can be ignored must remain that way. Anything that does not damage our internal state of mind for the longer time period is best observed and let go of. Criticisms from others who are well-meaning and which are not meant to bring us down can be accepted with grace. Others can be ignored.
3. Observing Nature: Nature is a great healer. Just watching greenery, birds, flowers and rain (or even the sound of rain) can be therapeutic. If you stay in the midst of the city, growing plants on small pots and being in their midst can help too.
4. Meditation: Meditation is observing our higher self, one that is hidden from this external world. It is a process of finding our true nature, one that is said to be eternally joyful. For those that cannot focus, being in a quiet place in a seated position and closing eyes with focus on breath or between the eyebrows can help. There are videos explaining the proper ways to meditate. Meditation is scientifically proven to induce calmness and rewires the brain to see the positive in everything. It also expands our consciousness, preventing the misunderstanding of situations.
5. Self-Care: Groom yourself a bit more. Take care of one’s appearance. Exercise every day. Cook healthy meals for you and family. Discover a new side to yourself.
6. Teach yourself a New Hobby: Do you love books? Read more. Do you love grooming others? Learn how to do a makeover. Enroll for new courses online (there are many online resources costing you only a very reasonable fee). Utilize these newly acquired hobbies to make some extra income for yourself. (Checkout sites such as Coursera or Skillshare where one can learn new skills)
7. Adopt a Pet: Pets can heal your emotional situation through unconditional love. Adopt a stray cat/ dog and give it a life. One has to be patient enough to be a good pet parent though. Dogspot ; IDA India— might be good sites for this)
8. Volunteer to Teach Poor Children: If you have a good ability to teach, it would be a great help to poor children who need some extra help with their studies online. ( E-Vidyaloka — I found this now)
9. Do not let the world disturb your peace: Peace and joy comes from helping others and being still when the world is going crazy around you. Whenever your peace has a chance to get disturbed by unnecessary negativity, it may be better to remain silent and not give in to reacting. This does not mean that you turn a deaf ear to those that need genuine help though.
10. Pray: For those who believe in a loving higher power, prayer is a good way to remain calm and brave. Whenever faced with situations that require great mental strength, recite a silent prayer and talk to that higher power; ask for strength. When you treat all beings with love and respect, give everyone peace because internally you are peaceful too, that higher power acts through you.
11. Ask for Help: If you feel you need help, do not hesitate to ask those that you trust. A therapist can help too. Do not ever bottle up emotions within. This can lead to other challenges in future.
By the merit of a strong will, and with help from each other, we will all get through this unsure and unstable situation soon. This world is more or less a dream, the goal of which is to make us grow, mentally and emotionally. Stay strong and make it a priority to only learn from it.
