Staying Positive During a Pandemic
There is
still hope and optimism to be found during this pandemic, especially in an Assisted living community. If you make
a concerted effort, you'll be able to hone the skills you need to stay confident and positive during
this time. You'll learn how to boost your confidence, nurture optimism,
and become more emotionally flexible so that you can withstand uncertainty.
It's no
secret that being afraid or depressed can make you feel powerless. However, did
you know that your own brain and feelings can conspire against you to make you
feel like your life is worse and more limited than it actually is? The
following negative thoughts, "I can't see my friends," "the
stock market is crashing and my retirement along with it," etc., are
things that are out of your control. So why focus on them?
You can't
control the actions of others, but that doesn't make you powerless. What you
can control is what you choose to focus on. By shifting your focus towards the
things in your life that are right in front of you, you'll restore a sense of
agency and self-confidence to yourself.
The good
news is that there are a lot of things in your life that you have control over,
and you can focus on these things instead. They can be as simple as your choice
of clothing (if you want to work from home, dress for success), your daily
routine, and what you choose to eat and put into your body. There are also
meaningful things within your control, such as your goals, beliefs, and your
"self-talk" or motivational talk.
Create a
list of all the things within your control, no matter how big or small it may
be. You'll likely be surprised by just how many items are on that list.
It's
natural for many people right now to be stuck on their computers, phones, or
TVs to stay up to date on the current happenings of COVID-19, the economy, CDC
and WHO recommendations, etc. While the information you glean can help you and
your family, be careful not to "overdose" on it. The information you
consume can be a double-edged sword.
If you're
always hearing about how high the infection rate is, or about stories of
medical supply shortages due to selfish hoarding and government mismanagement,
then that can take a significant toll on your happiness. After all, if you only
hear about these types of stories, then the picture that's painted in your mind
is 100% gloomy and depressing?
However,
the negative stories aren't the only picture. There are also stories of police
officers that are shopping for the elderly, doctors leaving retirement to help
their community and families that are giving their toilet paper (yes, it's
true) and food to others in need.
When you
feel anxious or depressed, these stories often just fade into the background,
unless you make a conscious effort to bring them front and center.
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