A Healthy Perspective on the Pandemic

We are living through an unprecedented time upheaval and disruption to our routines and lives.

This can be stressful because so much is uncertain.  Because we don’t have much control over how the situation is unfolding, this uncertainty can awaken fear.  We begin to panic and worry for our own and our loved ones' safety, and about the future. 

As we witness every day the worldwide intense suffering and pain wrought by this virus, it is imperative that we keep panic at bay and manage our fear and stress by falling back on our common humanity.

To better cope with the new demands being placed on us, we have to adjust how we think about this constantly evolving situation and all we are being asked to do and endure in the next few months.   Being able to mentally reframe our situation in a healthy way will ensure our own and others’ well-being.

Here are some heartfelt gentle reminders:

• Social Distancing and Shelter in Place – limit our social interactions and require we remain housebound which is going to be challenging.  To decrease resentment at this inconvenience, remind yourself that this measure will keep you and your family safe and everyone else, too.  As we don’t know if we are carriers this measure will help stop the spread of this virus. So from a larger perspective, these measures can be thought of as acts of compassion (sparing the vulnerable from suffering) and generosity (helping the healthy remain healthy).

 

• Separate but Connected – the lightning spread of this virus across the globe into our neighborhoods and homes is clear indication of our interconnectedness.  Even though we may be physically separated, we are in actuality going through it together.  This virus depends on infecting people for its survival, so by us staying apart we are collectively stopping its spread.  It takes all of us working in concert to end this pandemic. 

 

• Interdependence in Action – listening to our better instincts and good heart demonstrates our reliance on each other to keep ourselves and everyone around us safe.  All of us are depending on international and domestic scientists and health care professionals to rapidly come up with solutions.  Every day we see heart-warming stories of countries sharing effective methods for testing and screening, and collaborating by sending their professionals to help in virus-hit countries. Witness the incredible generosity, kindness and sacrifice of essential workers who are tackling this virus on the front lines.  We can help them; theirs and everyone's health depends on our being healthy. 

 

• Impermanence – the new store hours and closures, working from home, discoveries about the virus’ many mutations, hospitals being built in a few weeks, and all the many other changes occurring daily are a stark reminder of life’s impermanence.  Most of the time, even though our lives are changing every moment, we believe they are unchanging and will always continue as we know them.   Our strongest desire is for life to remain unchanged, but that isn’t its nature.  We couldn’t have anticipated the current state we find ourselves in and yet here we are.  Try and accept things as they unfold.  Your patience and tolerance will grow as you remind yourself that even this challenging time will end.  Nothing stays the same. 

 
And most importantly remember to practice compassion and kindness for yourself and others.
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May you and all those around you remain healthy, rested and well.

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