by Karen Alexander, Sunshima guest blog writer
Let’s face it, we were all looking forward to life post pandemic; our freedoms would be restored, and the world re-opened. And yes, for many their social life, travel and adventures have resumed. However the current world situation is not so rosy and the horizon is uncertain. So how do we cope with this unchartered landscape?
Stay in the present
None of us know how things will turn out and times of uncertainty can cause us to imagine the worst. These thoughts intrude making us feel uneasy and worried. At times like these try to stay in the present by practising mindfulness with deep breathing techniques, meditation or doing something creative like gardening. Put down your phone, walk away from your computer and relax. And of course the more you practise being in the here and now, the easier it will become.
Love Yourself
It is natural to feel worried and uncomfortable during times of uncertainty. So be kind to yourself, acknowledge how you feel without beating yourself up. Give yourself a hug, it will release oxytocin (a stress reducing hormone). Sometimes, just recognizing the things that are affecting you can help manage feelings of uncertainty.
Avoid Information Overload
Thanks to the presence of 24 hours news and social media, it is easy to spend a lot of time listening, watching, and researching stories and news that will only make you feel worse. How many times have you gone down some depressing rabbit hole, which leaves you stressed and anxious? Avoid or limit your time in this activity. Look for positive stories and high quality sources that give a balanced view and/or practical advice.
Focus on the short term
It is difficult trying to control what could happen way into the future and you could become easily overwhelmed. Instead look at what you can do right now. Decide what is important to you and focus on the short term, breaking down each day or each week into manageable, achievable tasks. Begin with easier projects and work your way up.
Look Back
This will not be the first or the last time you will be faced with uncertainty. Look back at what you learnt from previous experiences. What did you learn about yourself and what skills did you use? You will find that those abilities and strengths will help you in this current situation.
Get Practical Advice
There is a lot of support available out there. If you are concerned about housing, employment or even need free money advice then I can definitely recommend Citizens Advice. Their website is a trove of information and if they cannot help you directly, they will signpost you to the agencies/bodies that can.
And for advice on looking after your mental health or to support others, Mind provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Yes, the future does look uncertain but there are ways we can look after ourselves and face whatever it brings. After all the only constant in life is change!