Staying Calm In Crisis Situations: Coronavirus

Much is being said and will continue to be talked about the coronavirus, the virus that is guilty and responsible for the change that society is undergoing, both in the way and in the way we relate to each other and in daily routines. A situation that brings us closer to an unthinkable reality until recently: teleworking, compulsive shopping, school closings, cancellation of trips, new stricter cleaning and disinfection protocols, reduction of any group leisure activity, overcrowding of hospitals and centers. health, among others.

You turn on the television and they don’t stop talking about it, you read the news online and the headlines appear constantly, you talk to people and you don’t hear another … CORONAVIRUS, CORONAVIRUS and more CORONAVIRUS.

This whole situation is making the person on the street, the city on foot , panic, stay calm, anxiety is triggered, is governed by uncontrollable and unmanageable excessive worry, trouble sleeping, irrational fears and obsess in an exacerbated and disproportionate way about your physical sensations, with the sole objective of protecting yourself from contagion.

But for people who also have certain diagnoses such as hypochondria, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder or other pathologies, the consequences can be even worse. In fact, it is very likely that this situation that we are having to live will become much more difficult for them.

Strategies to minimize the psychological impact of COVID-19

For all those people who at this time of global crisis feel anxiety, are overwhelmed by not being able to leave home or by the lack of contact with other people, we offer below a series of strategies.

These are exercises developed from the framework of positive psychology to enhance three personal strengths with the aim of alleviating this general feeling of anguish and worry.

1. Analysis

The strength of analysis predisposes people to process different sources of information, in addition to favoring the process of becoming aware, evaluating different aspects of a situation, recognizing patterns, or deciding what type of information is useful or irrelevant for a given decision.

When this strength is very present in the person, it can be harmed in crisis situations, since it causes them to spend too much time ruminating and turning things over, reaching the blockage, without being able to move forward and generating some discomfort.

RECOMMENDATION

Restrict the input of information that you receive from the news. You can stay up to date, but if you watch the news for more than half an hour a day, nothing will change. Try not to make your routine revolve around the coronavirus, the longer we talk about it, the more it is in our mind and the more unpleasant emotions it arouses in us. And, above all, put a stop to anticipations, stay with what you are living in each moment. We do not know for sure the evolution that it will have in each particular case, so it does not make sense that you spend your psychological time thinking about all the possible evils that can occur.

2. Harmony

The strength of harmony is essential in the most critical situations. It manifests as the ability to remain calm in emotionally difficult situations, be they interpersonal situations or internal conflicts. For example, the coronavirus is a good opportunity.

If harmony is in balance in difficult moments, it is easier to remain calm and serenity. Therefore, if the person feels overwhelmed and out of control, it is essential to address and work on this strength,

RECOMMENDATION

Take advantage now that you are at home to put on audios to meditate and empty your mind of thoughts; mindfulness is an effective tool for managing attention and regulating your emotions.

3. Positivity

The strength of positivity refers to the tendency to stay with the good in present, past and future situations, focusing attention on the favorable elements of their life experiences.

RECOMMENDATION

Make a diary on your mobile or on a piece of paper that you put on the fridge where every time you pass you write down something that has gone well, something that you liked, that helps you keep it in mind and also focus your mind on the positive side; in this way, you will be able to balance the rest of the information you receive.

We encourage you to turn this experience into a development space from which to get something good. It will put you to the test, that’s for sure, both physically and emotionally, so taking care of your mind is also important.

Now, if you notice that your fear of what is happening gets out of control or overwhelms you, that you are much more nervous than usual, that you are not able to manage it in a normal way and that it affects your personal and work life, you can request help to a professional to work together and learn those strategies that you can implement in the face of this coronavirus crisis situation and others that may come in the future.