Creating A Strong Mind While Everyone Else Is Losing Theirs
Hysteria has gripped the world. People are panicking. They’re stressed, hoarding and panic buying.
Visit social media and literally everyone is going on and on about the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Coronavirus is indeed a serious matter and is a real cause for concern, it’s still no excuse to get sucked into the current whirlwind of fake news, panic and stress that currently sees the globe in a state of paralysis.
• The truth is that…
No one has any answers and the facts keep changing daily. You can’t trust the media because they’ll make any situation seem worse than it already is.
People are making things harder than it needs to be by clearing the store shelves and hoarding. You could try explaining to them that their actions are unnecessary, because supply chains are still strong… and there are no shortages other than the ones people are creating through panic.
But most won’t listen and you’ll just get aggravated by the stupidity of your fellow man. So, how do you stay calm and in control of your life when so many are worried?
You simply just need to be creating a strong mind while everyone else is losing theirs.
Take a look at some strategies you can start applying from today to keep ahead of the pack and develop a sense of calm within yourself while most around you are in a permanent state of panic.
1. Stop following the news and/or hysteria on social media
Probably the best way to strengthen your mind right now is to stop feeding it rubbish. Governments lie. You really do NOT know if the situation in China has got better or if that’s just another lie from the Chinese government.
Most people are also clueless. Just a few months ago, they were jumping out of their cars to do the Kiki dance challenge and now suddenly they’re virologists speculating about why deaths are rapidly increasing in Italy.
Engaging in pointless dialectic with them is unnecessary. The situation is what it is, so the healthcare professionals and authorities will be working 24/7 to manage the problem.
Worrying unnecessarily is not going to help you. In fact, you’re doing a disservice to yourself because stress lowers your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to disease.
2. Exercise daily
Nervous energy, fear and other unhealthy emotions tend to ‘snowball’ within you. There MUST be an outlet for this negative energy and nothing beats physical exercise as a form of release.
When you work out, you help to expend all that pent up energy within you and your body releases endorphins that will make you feel better. This is a win-win.
Ideally, you should engage in exercises that occupy both your body as well as your mind. For example, participating in a video home workout is going to help you focus on the training and prevents you drifting into your own thoughts.
If running on a treadmill, which is an exercise you can do on ‘autopilot’, you’ll likely end up thinking of other worrying scenarios rather than focusing on your training and the matter in hand.
Your body needs movement to stay strong and your mind needs to take a mental break. Engage in activities like bodyweight training, kickboxing, juggling, etc to engage both your body and mind.
• Stay busy
An idle mind is a devil’s workshop. As long as you’re in pursuit of a worthy goal and busy with what needs to be done to get there, you’ll not have time to worry about the negative aspects of life and the worst things that could happen to you.
Any fears and worries you have about COVID-19 are all in your mind. You’re a prisoner to your imagination. Put your mind to work on something else and you’ll be much less stressed.
• Prayer
Over the past few years, religion has been mocked and it has almost become uncool to believe in God. Atheists and other groups appear to make believing in God a pointless endeavour. However, millions of people would argue against it.
The truth of the matter is that there is immense power in prayer. Praying and surrendering your worries to a higher power eliminates stress from your life because you’re now living by faith, not sight.
Whatever the final outcome, you’re in the palm of his hand and there’s little point in worrying over what is beyond your control.
• Be safe
Take all the necessary health precautions to protect yourself and your family. You do not want to deal with the guilt of having a lackadaisical attitude, which raises the risks of getting the disease.
• Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.
Life goes on. Despite the food shortages due to hoarding, the lockdown, or possible unemployment and recession…decide that you will be resilient and adapt to the situation.
The kite rises against the wind, not with it. You will be resolute and overcome this situation. Humans have faced and dealt with major adversity since the beginning of our existence. Keep the popular saying in mind as you combat this latest challenge, something life has a habit of throwing at us…“This Too Shall Pass.”
To conclude, just know that all you can do is your best…and that’s enough. If you’ve taken all the necessary precautions to minimise your risks, you’ve done enough.
Don’t give in to panic or fear. Neither is real. You have what it takes to overcome anything. Have faith in yourself. Ride the wave!
“You can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow.” – Janis Joplin
