“We as Human have innate capability like a Bamboo, more resilient and enduring when we go through hardships”.
A few months back life was running at its urgent hush with desire in mind and sparkling eyes, no one was wanting to stop, life was super with hands full of activities and priorities. We all have been planning our goals, vacations, life and everything for future. Human seemingly had supremacy over Nature and science.
Suddenly in December 2019 reports surfaced out of China about a new Virus “Corona “in the central city of Wuhan. Though it started from one city of one country, gradually, the situation started changing drastically. More than 6 million people across 210 countries have been infected, more than 350,000 have died and lockdowns have been ordered in mostly all countries across the globe. Life came to standstill for everyone with great uncertainty and situation which is even scarier than a War. No one ever imagined the severity of a small virus and how it can bring everyone across nations threatened for life.
Many of the people are stuck outside their homes and hoping to meet their families and most of the businesses have come to a standstill which is impacting earnings of millions. These times are unprecedented. There’s no handbook that could have prepared us for living in this time, for the adults who thought they knew what life’s challenges were, for the children who’ll be known as the Covid-19 Generation.
There are different phases we all have to pass through during this Pandemic (Declared by WHO), we are going through crisis where each one of us would be impacted personally or professionally. Impact of Covid is wide-ranging, disruptive and long-lasting. We will have to re-look how we have been doing business and work. The outlook of social customs would also be changed. World will be different and so we will be living in a different world post Corona. We will have to do business differently, markets will operate differently, social customs would change and that will be the “New normal”.
Thinking and experiencing current times makes us scared, anxious, depressed and that’s normal for all of us as human!
The uncertainty we are in is causing all of us to feel frightened. People are afraid of losing job, business crashing or fear for life. Though it’s like sailing in same boat but facing different storm.
As per some Studies done and from the statistics it gets validated that it will have deeper impact on People’s mental health.
This situation is chronic as we are fighting with a virus and it is changing everything what was normal for us. It is bringing the most important point to us to think, what is that we can do to bring positivity and what is that we can control in and around life?
Should this life-changing event be faced down and dealt with Mindfulness to minimize the impact?
Amid the fear and uncertainty, we should practice Mindfulness and try to stay positive.
Mastering Mindfulness is like driving over rough terrain while keeping its occupants above ground.Let’s talk some ways to practice Mindfulness and how can we keep ourselves fuelled.
Learning to label our fears & Negative thoughts!
Whenever fear arises- triggered by Corona or by anything else- we can stop and investigate it. We can learn to see it not as an indivisible large feeling, but as a fleeting or short experience with even-sensations, thoughts, incidents, images and so on.
In doing so, we can become intimate with the patterns of our fear. We can notice where somatic angst shows up in our body. We can listen to our mind records & can visualize it too. Fear overwhelms us and that’s rarely a good thing and so being mindful helps us! We can bring mindfulness into the fray to settle our nerves and keep ourselves composed.
When fear is mindfully broken down in this way, it becomes workable. If we understand our pattern and are able to label the thoughts, the feelings it becomes easier to deal and cope.
“Inner Stillness is the key to the outer strength”-Jared Brock.
Self-Love & Care!
It can be challenging at the best of times. This is why, more than ever, we all need to be doing our best to regularly pause, take a breath and be proactive in looking after ourselves. These times teaches us to be self-aware and learn to relax. Stay relaxed and do things which you had no time in your ever-busy life like indulging into long time hobbies. Practice Meditation.
Plan your day and organise it in a way that you are able to find time to rest and play. You also should learn to disconnect from internet and social media.
Mindfulness provides us with a means of cultivating greater and more objective awareness of our own emotional landscape, the emotions of others, and of external circumstance. Every phase of life and so does crisis need different version of us.
In doing so, it gives us more choice in how we respond to challenges we may face and the ability to choose consciously where we place our attention.
Show Kindness & gratitude!
When you feel Anxious interrupt it with Gratitude. Gratitude for Nature, Gratitude for people who have crossed your path in life and mostly the ones who have contributed to your life in any means. Regular practice of gratitude by reflecting upon the things you are thankful for makes you experience more positive emotions, makes you feel more alive, makes you more compassionate and kinder and even can lead you to stronger immune systems. Gratitude doesn't need to be expressed only for momentous occasions rather it can be for simplest things or even gestures.
Stay Connected & Compassionate for others!
It’s important to keep in mind that while we’re all in this together, each person has unique life circumstances that may cause more or less acute concern. Stay close to your loved ones, your family and friends.
“Staying connected and having empathy for People is more important than ever today”- imagine we are blessed that we are in the times of social media, telecommunication and digital world where despite of lockdown we have enough means to talk, see and connect.
Be part of the well-being of others, even if only in a small way. You can support a local business you value that is likely struggling at the moment or check up on an elderly friend or relative or even your maids/staff.
Upgrade your Skills & prepare yourself for better times!
Learn and re-learn skills, upgrade yourself with online courses. There are many universities, institutes providing free and paid courses, pick up courses which interests you and which will add to your productivity. Learn the program to grow your skills and implement them in your job. If you are business owner, learn these new skills to implement in your business.
Make your wish list for life post-lockdown
it is a long time, but we know that this too shall pass. Make a list of all the things you want to do once the lockdown is lifted—meeting your best friend over coffee, playing football, seeing your business associates, taking your elderly aunt out for dinner, or just going back to walking in the park!
These may be some tips to be Mindful and keep your head above in Hope and positivity. You can connect with us for more tips or to discuss your thoughts.
“You Never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you couldn’t do before” -Rahm Emanuel!
h6>About Author – Nida Khanam is a practicing Professional ACC-ICF & Brain based Certified Coach in the areas of Executive, Mindset & Career. She is also on board of HR advisory & a Speaker on different platforms. She is an IIMC & AMU alumnus who has worked into HR Leadership& transformational roles for diversified organizations like Rockwell Automation, Grohe-Lixil & JSL to name a few. Besides being a coach, speaker, and Advisor, she is an Entrepreneur too.]
