COVID-19 - Are you scared?
We’re currently seeing the extraordinary results of a very normal human emotion, fear, in the face of a global pandemic.
Covid-19 is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, overtaking sleep, infiltrating travel plans, encroaching on our everyday way of life - we’re all feeling the impact, and it’s coming out in all sorts of unusual and sometimes shocking behaviours.
The leaders, management, and people in charge, can do something to curb the intensity of this panic, by finding ways to bring certainty to people in these very uncertain times.
People who are living with this fear - pretty much everyone in some form - can find ways to somewhat reduce the magnitude of the emotion, firstly by accepting it, and then by focussing on what is certain in their lives.
It’s still very early in the game, both in Australia and globally. But we’re already seeing the devastating effects of the virus on hospital systems and people in a number of countries.
First detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, experts in the World Health Organisation sounded the alarm quickly, well aware of what was likely to be ahead. The world watched as they attempted to control the spread. In a localised epidemic stage it was still possible to contain and eradicate the virus.
Within days though, the spread had increased, and within weeks, the virus had reached other countries, with cases popping up in Thailand and Japan.
Efforts to contain the virus escalated, country border arrangements were altered, but, inevitably, the virus found it’s way into Iran, Italy, and many other countries across the globe.
We’re only at the beginning of this and we still don’t know what’s coming.
Pandemics and public health measures are not new to me, with my career background, but still I feel as though I’ve been watching a horrific car crash, simultaneously unfolding in slow motion and an alarmingly rapid pace.
We have no idea what’s really ahead of us. Our lives will change in ways we’ve never imagined.
We may lose people we know and love.
It is impossible for us to come through this unscathed.
And yet, we’re told not to panic. We also have people brazenly flouting the restrictions we have now in place. It’s as though fear and the consequences of this fear are not called for at this time.
We were told not to panic, “keep going about your ordinary lives but wash your hands”, by governments and even people who work in health and wellness. In my personal experience, I went to a number of yoga classes when the virus was just showing up in Australia. The teacher was trying to downplay the fear that people were feeling, calling it ‘fear mongering’, as though it was just a media spin that will be over in a few weeks. This is not helpful and can be even damaging to the actions people decide to take.
We’re even told not to panic by our own community members - the ones who think it’s ‘just a flu’. Yes, these people out there in throngs, kicking back on Bondi Beach, or crowding into restaurants and venues. As I write this, I’ve seen the NSW Government is taking more drastic action to stop people grouping together. This was inevitable. You can refer to a previous blog post I’ve written about the challenges in behaviour change here. People find it hard to adapt to a new behaviour, even when it’s in their own best interests.
Something to keep in mind is that panic is a very natural - though not very pleasant - human response to fear.
It is reactionary, and comes from our basest instincts for survival.
It also comes from “filling in the gaps” when information is lacking.
Desperate (and uninformed) people go to desperate measures.
People are unsure about the supply chain of food and pharmaceuticals.
We don’t know if children should still be in school and childcare.
We’re out of our minds with worry about loved ones.
Many aren’t even completely clear about the virus itself - how it spreads, what prevents it, and so on.
—> It is the perfect time for charlatans and snake oil salesmen to emerge from the woodworks, when people are desperate for a cure or an answer to all this ‘unknown’.
And, of course, there’s jobs and security. Many industries are already being affected by this. Some businesses won’t make it through. Many jobs will be lost and we are likely to be heading into a recession.
Is the fear that triggers panic buying and hoarding an unfounded one? Of course not.
These feelings are natural and human, and are really in proportion to the scale of this unprecedented situation.
So.
How do we get through this?
We can start by simply acknowledging this fear.
By accepting it.
To leaders and managers: You are not immune to fear.
Sit for a few moments. Pay attention to what you are feeling and how that is represented in your body.
You are responsible for many people’s lives. You have a family and loved ones. You have operations to somehow manage. And you may even be someone at personal risk of serious consequences of this virus.
You’re quite clearly an adult, and guess what? It’s A-OK to feel scared right now.
Acknowledge the fear. Sit with it. Find where the pressure is, and allow it to be there.
Simply sitting with an emotion, without fighting it, can help you to see your way through it. It may give you perspective. It may free you to find new ways through personal challenges and help you to get clear about your highest values.
Then, seek transparency. We have a lot of uncertainty at the moment, so work out what you do know, both personally and professionally.
Find ways to be certain. What is currently within your control that is not an over-reaction? What is normal and routine? Anchor to that.
If you’re worried about a family member, consider ways you can help them avoid contracting the virus. Even with the constant changes, try to stick to a routine, both personally and with your family.
Start your own health messaging in the workplace, both online and face-to-face. Don’t wait for it to come to you or be done for you. Use the resources and create your own.
Arm yourself with facts about the virus and communicate them effectively to your team.
Be proactive in this. We’ve all been dealt with a blow, but this is something you can do that can make a real difference in how people perceive and respond to this pandemic.
Enforce social distancing NOW. This is not a drill.
Consider the scenarios for the months ahead. Transparency around this is key here.
Once you’re clear about what you can do, sit your people down and share it with them. Put it in front of them every chance you can get. They will value your efforts and will pay attention to what you say.
You can’t promise a miracle, but you can have contingency plans in place.
Tell them what you’ll do to protect them from COVID-19 - especially your customers - and reassure them of your methods by drawing your guidance from credible sources, like the federal or state health websites.
People need certainty right now. You can’t promise them their job, but you can be upfront with your plans and your processes.
The same goes for your personal life. Whether you are a manager or an employee, look at what you can do to anchor yourself in certainty. Routine now is as important as ever - for you and your family. There are huge changes underfoot, but there are small, day-to-day things you can do to bring reassurance. Write down and get clear about what you know to be true RIGHT NOW, and take a few moments to stop and take in the day around you. Then, think about your routine.
If you can still get outside and exercise, do it - mindful of social distancing and hygiene. Exercise is a fantastic stress reliever, and really important for your health and wellbeing right now. If you can’t get outside, set up a Youtube class of yoga or aerobics, or put on some tunes and get the family dancing. Check out your local yoga studio as there’s a good chance they’ll be streaming classes online from now on.
Shut off the news and turn off the screens an hour before bed. It’s good to keep up with what’s happening, but don’t let it mess with your sleep. Give yourself time to wind down before bed to help you get a good night’s sleep.
Try to take some time to meditate or sit mindfully every day. If your head is racing, combine meditation with movement. You could try walking meditation, or something like tai chi - anything to get your mind focussed and the stress out of your body.
Do some gentle stretches, or listen to a guided meditation before you go to sleep. Check out our Yoga Nidra for Deep Rest here.
There are no guarantees about our future with this virus - but, in truth, there never was a guarantee for our future. All we really know is what exists right in this moment, now.
We have to acknowledge that our fear of the unknown exists, work with what we know now, educate ourselves with evidence-based information so we can live with greater certainty, and be transparent with everyone in our lives.
While we may not know what’s coming next, let us love and live fully while we can.
Ruth Kent is the Founder of Sunrise Well.
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