How to Cope with Uncertainty in the age of Coronavirus
You cannot control what happens to you, but you do have full control over the way you react to it.
Life, as we know it, has changed at least for the foreseeable future. We are all in the same boat together. It doesn't matter where in society you place yourself, the effects have touched us all. No one knows how or when this unprecedented pandemic will end. As governments struggle to contain the virus, with safety measures changing every day, we all have to learn to cope with the ongoing uncertainty.
Our brains are not hardwired to deal with uncertainty, which is why many of us are feeling depressed, confused and agitated. Uncertainty often kicks us into our primal survival mode, a state of fear, a state of fight or flight. The result? A never ending state of reactivity which isn't healthy at all. The constant bombardment of negative news has drained us all. Which ironically, negatively affects the immune system.
Even those who usually embrace change like a duck to water, may be feeling the pressure of constant negativity and worry.
While we cannot control the pandemic and all that it brings, we can absolutely control how we react to it. Ultimately, it is all about mindset.
You have all the power you need to decide how you are going to feel about a certain situation. Are you going to mope around at this current time? Or are you going to look at the positives and take action? Could you learn a new skill? Could you start life over, the way you really want it to be?
When we are pushed to change, we as a species often resist. This causes a heightened sense of stress and anxiety. Bob Proctor, my coach and mentor, has often described how we must visualise what we want, really feel the emotion of it being achieved, then “let go and let god”. This means that you set the intention in your mindseye, then let go and allow the universe to move in a way to serve you.
This is not to say, ignore any negative feelings you may have. That isn't right either. When you feel a negative emotion, allow it to come in and observe it as an outside force. Do not attach to it. Recognise that it's there and why it is there. Then take the conscious decision to wrap it in love, and let it go. Then replace how you are feeling with a positive feeling or image in your mind. Something you really want to achieve. Really feel it. Give thanks for it. Then let it go and trust the Universe to deliver you opportunities to achieve that goal. Many find positive affirmations a good way to keep mindful of their goals. Try and create your own. Ones where you goal is already achieved such as “I am so happy and grateful now that I have the job of my dreams”.
Remember you have all the power you need for a beautiful life right between your ears. Take charge of your thoughts and feelings, and live the best life you can live.