It seems like almost all of my coaching conversations include the coronavirus these days. Clients are expressing their own fears, frustrations over their spouses reactions and their desire for answers.
I don’t talk to them about washing their hands or stocking up on toilet paper. What they want from me is guidance in how to stay calm and make smart choices in these confusing and scary times.
They want to be able to respond with wisdom instead of react in fear.
Here are some of the things I recommend:
Find a trusted source of information and focus on the facts. We are inundated with conflicting opinions and misinformation that can lead our emotions on a roller coaster ride. Find a reliable source that you trust and focus only on what they have to say.
Limit your exposure to the news. There are studies showing that higher levels of news consumption lead to increased anxiety. It might be because they keep repeating things over and over or maybe that some things are sensationalized to get more viewers. All you need are the facts. You may find that just reading headlines online from your trusted source is enough to stay informed.
Nurture your immune system. Worry, fear and stress can create fertile ground for illnesses like coronavirus. Focus on eating well, getting a good night’s sleep and other ways to keep your body healthy.
Question your fearful thoughts. When you feel yourself slipping into fear, pay attention to what you are thinking. It is likely your mind is spinning a story that may or may not be true. Ask yourself if you can know for sure that these thoughts are absolutely true and if you don’t, choose to set them aside.
Stock up – to a degree. It’s always a good idea to have things on hand in case of an emergency, but we don’t need to steal masks from hospitals or fill our rooms with toilet paper. You will likely feel better if you have food and supplies that can last a few weeks, especially if there is the possibility of a quarantine or disruption in service.
Stay calm. Fear can cause you to over-react and make decisions that may not be the best. Allow time each day for calming practices like prayer, meditation, journaling, a warm bath or whatever helps you stay relaxed. When Covid-19 worry or fear comes up, practice letting go of what you cannot control and give it to God instead.
Focus on gratitude. You can crowd the worry out of your mind by focusing on all that is going well and the many gifts you have in your life. It helps to write them down and revisit of them over time.
Whatever the future brings, the key is to take care of yourself in a way that keeps you feeling and responding your best. If you have something you do to stay sane in these coronavirus times, I would love to hear about it. You can comment below.
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Hi Linda,
So glad you shared and are being a channel for peace and calm for those you work with. There is so much craziness, fear and panic around.
It’s so good your giving others the tool to stay calm, make wise decision, limit the media they listen to and focus on things to be grateful for.
Very much appreciate what your doing to help others. I do a lot similar to encourage others to stay out of panic and be calm and purposeful!
Thank you, Cindy. I’m going to go check out your website.
Many thanks, Linda–you are the voice of calm wisdom, as usual.
Thank you.