Thinking Will Not Overcome Fear, but Action Will
I spent a third of my life studying people before I came to the world of flowers. I received my BS of Science in Psychology in 2008. In 2013, I went back to school to obtain a dual MS in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. Specifically, I studied trauma and the way it manifests itself in our brains and how that affects our behavior.
Our world's pandemic of COVID-19 has been looming overhead like a dark cloud. As I sit here and purge my feelings into this blog post, I’m reminded that what is happening around us is traumatic. The fear we’re all dealing with and the uncertainty we face feels much bigger than any of us individually, and inevitably this affects our behavior.
Fear can be a powerful motivator, it’s both a natural emotion and a survival mechanism. When we deal with a perceived threat of any kind, our bodies respond in specific ways not only in physical responses but also emotional. The emotional response to fear is highly personalized because it involves some of the same chemical reactions in our brains that occur with positive emotions, like happiness and excitement. Interesting huh?
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the distinction between our physical and emotional responses as it relates to COVID-19 (Corona virus). I believe that FEAR is why our grocery stores are barren, why people are leaving major cities and crowded places to isolate themselves from a virus that is provoking anxiety in hearts and minds around the globe. Our world is in a state of crisis and we need to be aware, now more than ever, of how our beliefs govern our behaviors.
I cannot speak to the specifics of COVID-19 so I’ll leave that to the experts, but one of the things I fundamentally believe is we can ALL help limit and control this heightened state of fear by choosing to participate in very simple actions. I believe many of us feel helpless. All of this talk about quarantine and not being able to leave the house only adds fuel to the flames. Quarantine? Many of us haven’t experienced anything like this in our lifetime, we’ve only read about it in books. It naturally evokes fear. So, how do we change that narrative in our minds? I believe if we can shift our focus to actionable tasks (even if they’re small) it’s as if we are tangibly grabbing a hold of that fear and re-writing that story in our minds. If we actively participate in these small mental shifts, we’re making a choice to do what is within our control to contribute to diffusing this stressful environment. Little by little, things will begin to change. I wholeheartedly believe this.
So here it is. A list of things we can all DO no matter our circumstances, that I believe can and will affect change. DISCLAIMER: These are my personal thoughts and opinions, not expert advice. For expert advice on how to prepare for COVID-19 here is a link to CDC recommendations.
Wash your hands thoroughly. This is at the top of my list for obvious reasons. We’re lucky to live in a country that has running water. I understand the benefits of hand sanitizer, however there is no substitution for washing your hands. Here is the best hand washing practice as outlined by the CDC.
Only buy what you NEED. I feel rather strongly about this one at the moment, because I live on an island 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts where resources are already limited. We’re creating bigger problems for each other by pillaging and hoarding resources. Period. Let’s change the mindset that we’re going to run out of food / paper goods because of this virus and let’s continue to buy only what we NEED. This isn’t the Hunger Games, we don’t need to adopt an “everyone for themselves” mentality, this will only create problems that are much bigger than the virus we are dealing with. I urge you to think about this the next time you’re out.
Do something for your mind- Why is time at home a bad thing? What if we use this time to develop, influence, empower and strengthen our minds? Sir Isaac Newton was isolated from Cambridge University during the Bubonic plague, it was his time at home that provided him with the inspiration to eventually formulate his law of universal gravitation. Perspective people. Can you read a book, start a blog, write a letter and mail it (one of my favorite things to do- it’s a lost art), download Duolingo and learn a new language? What will you do for your mental health these next few weeks / months? The list of possibilities is endless… if you need suggestions, ASK ME!
Connect with someone- many of us are practicing social distancing, while this is necessary to keep others healthy it can actually have negative psychological ramifications. We are by nature, beings who want to connect with others. Find someone you can “check in '' with you and vice versa, a person you can vent to, FaceTime, or compete with in “Words with Friends”. You’ll be amazed what this does to achieve a sense of connectedness in a time where we feel more isolated than ever. If you feel like you don’t have anyone, I welcome you to reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to connect with you.
Move your body- Have you ever watched Grey’s Anatomy? When Cristina Yang was still on the show, she and Meredith would put on music and dance out their problems. The term “dance it out” because of this. You don’t have to run long distances or do some crazy workout to move your body. Turn up your music and dance it out. If you’re healthy and well, get outdoors and go for a walk. Breath in the fresh air. Inhale. Exhale. Your body will thank you and it will give your mind the mental break it needs from all of the negative noise.
Limit your screen time- I realize many of you are probably reading this on your smartphones or computers. Too often do we go down the rabbit hole of social media and come out feeling more lost and deflated than ever. Social media can be wonderful, but in times of crisis it can actually perpetuate more fear. Check out this article that lists specific apps you can use to help you do this. As most of us are working from home right now I realize we have to be on our screens, but I’m talking specifically about limiting the things we choose to look at and how that affects our overall well-being.
Laugh it up- have you ever laughed so hard you cried? Remember how it feels? “Bouts of laughter can boost the immune system, relax muscles, aid circulation, and protect against heart disease. They abet mental health, too; laughter can lower anxiety, release tension, improve mood, and foster resilience.” So laugh it up my friends, what makes you laugh? DO MORE OF THAT.
While I could list at least ten more things we can all do, I feel the things I've listed here are so important to help influence and change the way we think and behave in a positive way. Be kind and well my friends, and remember we’re all in this together.
xo
H
Feel free to add to this list in comments below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!