Covid 19 the anxiety of getting sick, going to the hospital,
having to be on a ventilator, dying alone. These terrify most of us into being socially responsible with social distancing and staying home.
As the world and our communities begin to open up there continues to be a large part of the population engulfed in fear. Fear is fear. Real or imagined it is still fear.
We may not always understand what the fear is about yet
we can try to be compassionate and bend a little to help out. Meaning I know friends who are not going anywhere, not letting anyone over to their home or going out to a patio. The risk they feel and believe is too great of a chance. This is okay. Arguing why ‘feelings of fear are ridiculous ‘creates conflict and further isolation. People do what they need to do to survive, get by and make to the other side of this global pandemic. This is where compassion and listening skills are needed, a way of reassurance to our children and adult family and friends. It is amazing how listening and validating can build trust in relationships.
“Fear makes come true that which one is afraid of.” Man’s Search for Meaning
Following the medical experts is part of eliminating some of the fear.
Doing the handwashing, sanitizing gels/sprays, social distancing, social / self-isolation if you have travelled or been exposed to someone testing positive for Covid 19 are the steps everyone has to be practicing. The idea is to not obsess on our fear. If we focus on our fear these fears can manifest into debilitating and overwhelming stress in life.
For me, it is all about knowing how to manage fear. Learning about it, triggers, memories of fear and managing it. No one can make the fear go away or ‘disappear’ that is an individual journey and in facing our fear.
It is important to be aware of our mental health during these times of intense stress. Create your self-care that fits with the current circumstances and being stuck in our homes or limited access to facilities.
Think of ways that decrease those fears. Focus on the positive and good stats and those who have recovered. It is the little things we can do for ourselves that assist in getting through the pandemic and not falling into a deep sense of despair.
Our attitude, creative mental and physical health tools/strategies and compassion for others is the biggest part of standing up to our fears.
“Ultimately we know how deeply that on the other side of every fear is a freedom.” Marilyn Ferguson
