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Coping with the pandemic – Habits that propel us towards optimism

By May 19, 2021December 19th, 2022Employee Assistance ProgramViews: 235

The current global pandemic has opened us to a new lifestyle of monotony. Our physical and emotional wellness has gone for a toss due to the virus. Locked up indoors with no personal contact during this pandemic, even with the closest of kith and kin, no wonder we feel stifled. There is a lack of emotional support, not just on the personal front but also on the work front.

The audience poll at the beginning of the wellness session conducted by CecureUs, with our expert psychologist Ms. Hemalatha Swaminathan revealed that most participants have picked up a new hobby/habit to cope with the stress of the pandemic lockdown and as a release for emotional wellness. While some continue to carve a new path in their areas of interest, some have fumbled and dropped out midway due to lack of interest or support, work, hectic schedules, self-doubts, or negative thoughts.

Now, what should we do to keep our emotional wellness intact? How do we manage work and personal lives in this pandemic? Neuroplasticity and the 21-day discipline are the keys. The human brain is a marvel of nature, gifted with the ability to learn and unlearn, re-program, and re-structure itself. Wikipedia defines Neuroplasticity as the ability of the neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization. Our brain has multiple pathways. Each pathway is associated with a particular habit/behaviour. Every time there is an urge to do something new, our brain forms new Pathways. Repetition and practice strengthen these pathways, giving rise to Habits. Hence, one should strictly stick to the 21-days discipline when taking up anything new to transform it into a regular habit. This pandemic has thrown light on this topic for many since emotional wellness and support have become priorities.

There is no doubt when we accomplish a new work, for instance, completing a 5-mile run or a painting or baking a cake to perfection, there is an adrenaline rush and release of endorphins that make us happy and satisfied, paving the way for emotional wellness. Through everyday assertive habits, we program our brains to stay positive at all times.

Below are lists of practices that impel us towards positivity, as shared by Ms. Hemalatha.

Stop The Negative Self-talk

Questioning ourselves with why, what, when, how, etc.., while commencing a new work will curtail our enthusiasm and fog our thoughts with self-doubts, especially during the current pandemic. Avoiding these questions will automatically make us feel energized and focused on work, contributing to our emotional wellness. Instead of distracting or suppressing stressful thoughts, we must learn to end them positively. It is good to practice problem-focused, solution-oriented coping when the circumstances are controllable and emotion-focused coping when the situations are out of control. Having a ‘ToThinkList’ and sticking to it will keep our minds occupied with positive thoughts. Apart from giving the much-needed emotional support, optimism will ward us from negativity.

Journaling

Making a note of strengths, weaknesses, and everyday achievements in a journal will aid us in overcoming our flaws and inspires us to focus on improving our skills at work. Set goals, devise plans, and stick to them to achieve personal and office/work targets. Seek help from support systems to keep going. We must appreciate ourselves for our accomplishments. It gives us that willingness and determination to work more towards achieving our goals and emotional wellness. Maintaining a Gratitude Journal to list things that we are grateful for helps us cope during difficult times of this pandemic.

Stop Blaming/Complaining

Blaming or complaining accumulates negative energy in our minds. Given the impact of the current pandemic, this attitude shatters our emotional wellness. Focussing on the good and curbing complaining will keep us cheerful, even at work. Holding a grudge will snatch away sanity on a hectic workday. ‘Forgive and Forget’ should be the mantra. Remember, people around us will behave through their inner qualities, and we have no necessity to copy them. Happiness is a choice, and we should choose to stay happy and support others, no matter how testing our circumstances are. Radiating positive energy will aid us in transforming people and situations around us to a great extent during this pandemic.

Build Resilience Through Recall

Humans are gifted with the ability to bounce back from disappointments, worries, grief, and setbacks that take a toll on their wellness. Whenever we encounter setbacks in our personal lives or at work, implement a practice to recall our past where we rebounded from negativity. Reminding oneself, “If I did it once, Why can’t I do it again?” helps us build Resilience and emotional wellness.

One can follow the following tips to boost Resilience.

  • Knowing the purpose of life.
  • Having an intent for the day.
  • Expressing and feeling Gratitude.
  • Having a good social circle for emotional support and wellness.

The 5AM Club

Wake up early so that while others are still dreaming, you can make your dreams come true – Hal Elrod

Waking up an hour early and spending the first few minutes planning for the day will be a good kickstart for a better day. By waking up early, we will have more time to accomplish our tasks at work. Studies show that most successful people are early risers. Having ‘Me-time’ in quietude in the early morning can be rejuvenating and bestows holistic wellness.

Self-Care Menu

Devising a self-care menu during this pandemic keeps us physically and mentally healthy. It also assists in time management. Including meditation and breathing exercises in our routine will calm us and let our minds reverberate with positive energy. Apart from the regular mundane chores, including something fresh every day in the schedule is crucial. For instance, trying a different workout, cooking a complex cuisine, impromptu dancing to the music, or doing something long-forgotten that we enjoyed as a child, to name a few. Soon, our personality transformation will leave us spellbound.

HYGGE Wellness Practices

Wikipedia defines HYGGE as a mood of cosiness and comfortable merriment with feelings of wellness and contentment. Adopting a Hygge Lifestyle by creating cosy and comfortable settings in our homes is a powerful tool to cope with the pandemic lockdown.

Some of the HYGGE practices could be having

  • Me-Time,
  • My Space,
  • My Drink/Comfort food,
  • My Indulgences,
  • My music,
  • My People, etc.

In pandemic times, HYGGE can be achieved by

  • Decluttering the home and workspaces,
  • Sticking to minimalism,
  • Cooking with family,
  • Appreciating and supporting each other through words and gifts,
  • Checking on our loved ones through video calls,
  • Taking a nature walk,
  • Remodelling decor,
  • Picking up a new hobby,
  • Reading a new novel or comic,
  • Creating a Zen corner in our homes.

By including the above habits in our schedule and practicing them regularly, we can stay positive, cheerful, hopeful, and sail through tough pandemic times towards a better future.

Contact Us if you are concerned about yourself or a loved one. Book an Appointment today, or call us. Do not miss out on our Cecureus Wellness Workshops conducted every week to guide you with various coping strategies during the current pandemic.