Getting through a second wave will be undoubtedly tough, but there are ways that we can make it that little bit more bearable.
HOW TO COPE THIS AUTUMN & WINTER By Dr Lynda Shaw, neuroscientist, business psychologist and change specialist.
How To cope This Autumn & Winter
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ost of us have been learning to adjust to the ‘new normal’ of living with Covid-19 and for many of us this summer meant being able to resocialise a little with friends and family - albeit with social distancing – which gave us a much needed boost. However, it is evident that coronavirus is here to stay for now and as the colder months are nearing, many of us are wondering how we will cope this winter and whether Christmas will be spent with our families. This uncertainty coupled with a collective disheartenment and mental fatigue has led many of us to figuratively hit a wall so how can we best cope? It is normal to feel as though you are running out of steam, overwhelmed or just generally fed up – we all are! Getting through a second wave will be undoubtedly tough, but there are ways that we can make it that little bit more bearable. Here are some tips on how to cope this autumn and winter:1. Treat others with kindness. During these uncertain times many of us will be feeling confused and anxious. In response to these feelings, our stress hormones rise which prevent us from sleeping properly, leaving us feeling more irritable and shorter tempered. Try and be empathetic towards how others are doing this time and treat each other with kindness. RETIREMENT
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2. Set goals to reach by the new year. Set small, realistic goals and work towards them. Setting overly ambitious goals may leave you feeling worse if you don’t achieve them. Start off with something like learning a new skill or exercising a bit more. You might just feel better for it and it will give you positive reinforcement when you reach your goals. 3. There is no shame in asking for help. If you are feeling overwhelmed at the moment, it is important that you know you are not alone. Speak to a GP for medical advice or a friend or family member. Having a chat with someone who knows you well can often give you a more reasoned way of looking at things and they may have some good advice on how you personally can best cope during these times.
4. Make plans but be flexible. Most of us work better with structure so continue to plan and build new routines where possible. We do not react well to ‘the unknown’ and research shows that uncertainty is scarier to humans than known, bad outcomes. The body responds to threats by releasing stress hormones to narrow down our focus in order to concentrate on survival. Right now we don’t know how lockdown restrictions will change or when these will be put in place. The best way to get ready for any change is to stay nimble, pencil in plans, have a routine but be flexible and prepare to adapt.
