How to overcome the Pandemic Blues
The current pandemic can increase suffering from anxiety and depression. It threatens our health and mental wellbeing, the effects of which are currently observable in short to medium term but may also be visible in a long time. Which are the factors that can trigger the Pandemic Blues?
– Fear of infection (which in itself causes panic and anxiety)
– Social isolation / Social distancing
– Change of daily habits
– Unemployment or a temporary interruption of work
– Overload of information
– Uncertainty
What can you do? First, embrace negative emotions. Anxiety nourishes itself from the rational thought that wants to chase it. By doing that, anxiety becomes stronger. I want to start with an essential consideration: The sense of distress we may feel during this long period is a normal, physiological human response.
First, it is necessary to recognise and accept these feelings, emotions, moods. It also must be stated that it’s not easy for the human being to deal with and manage adverse events that we don’t know for how long they will last. Hence, it is necessary to make changes in our habits and behaviour.
Above all, to make a change leads to awareness of our emotional experiences, accepting them, or even more precisely welcoming them, not being afraid of our fragility and vulnerability but integrating them. A meditative activity, a favourite hobby, sport, or psychological mindfulness technique can help in these cases. In short, listen to yourself, concentrate on what you are doing, not by implementing predefined responses, but listen to your body and mind’s messages. When an event affects us emotionally, not being impulsive but waiting is a fundamental self-regulation mechanism.
Imagination frees the mind; it restructures it from those negative feelings that overwhelm us, oppresses us. Our brain is the kingdom of the fantasy.
Unfortunately, we don’t use it anymore to imagine as we are used to thinking and to rethink, and we forget to imagine. Imagination is a good cure against anxiety because it distances us from reality and brings us to another territory. Whenever you feel anxious, close your eyes and think of a flower, a plant or an animal for whom you feel a deep connection. Every one of us has either a favourite flower or an animal. Feel its energy, its colour, its smells and its qualities. Once a day, travel with your mind, immerse yourself in a magical kingdom, even if only for 10 minutes a day.
If you want to know more about these techniques, join the Thursday Group via zoom from 18.30 -19.30. Drop me an e-mail if you are interested in joining (info@getanotherview.org).
