We are living through very uncertain times and this uncertainty aggravates stress and anxiety.
We are generally very capable of withstanding a great deal of stress when we can see an end in sight, but when no exit is obvious, the stress can become more difficult to tolerate.
Let me give you an example.
I once saw an experiment with two Perspex columns of water. A rat was placed in each one. They could swim but not climb out. After 5 minutes, a ladder was inserted into one column so the rat could climb out. Once it did so, the ladder was taken out and the rat placed back in the water. After 30 minutes the second rat had given up swimming and had to be rescued. The first rat carried on swimming for hours because it knew there was a way out. It just had to find it again.
So how can we deal with the stress of this uncertainty?
1. Regularly stop the physical effects of the stress response. Use these audios to help or you can do regular daily exercise.
2. Boost your own positive resources. When we are stressed, negatives inhibit positive, resourceful feelings. So things that should make you feel confident, resourceful, enthusiastic and happy, just don’t. This audio helps you to magnify your own positives again. Spotify or Apple Music
3. Focus on your long term goals on a regular basis. They haven’t changed. See the article Set Goals for Success in this blog.
4. Set short term goals, and regularly focus on them like above. How are you going to eat healthily? Are you going to exercise? How often? Set targets for the week ahead and maintain your discipline.
5. Update any skills or identify new ones that you can use in the future. Can you do this online?
6. Keep going. There will be an end to all of this uncertainty, even if it is not clear at the moment. When it comes, you will be ready to take whatever opportunities present themselves.