By now it’s clear, COVID is with us to stay for a while. And no one knows how long that will be. Or how it will be. We all wish for some degree of stability and assurance that we can depend on so today and tomorrow unfold with some predictability. We yearn for the medicines that will cure or prevent this infection.
At first, there was the shock of it. And then I believe that, as we moved into the reality of our situation, stages of grief and mourning emerged. Denial, “oh, it’s just like the flu” or “by summer it will fade away” or “I might as well get it and get it over with.” Anger, “don’t tell me I have to wear a mask!” or “get back from me six feet!” or “I’m gonna do what I want, and I don’t care!” Bargaining, “I can do this for a month” or “if I just go to this one party, it won’t be a big deal.” Sadness, “I feel so lonely and lost now” or “will we ever get back to the way things used to be?” or “I miss…” or “I can’t…”
And then there is the stage of acceptance. There is some evidence of this. “This is the way it is.” “We have to do what we have to do to take care of ourselves and each other.” Unfortunately I see a lot of evidence of other stages of grief when I listen to the news.
But do we have any other choice but to look at our situation squarely and honestly? And then figure out how to cope, and then how to subdue if not eradicate this pandemic? Seems to me, that is our only real option.
If that is the case, the first step is to acknowledge the facts of our situation. COVID is with us, and unless we get a handle on it, it will dominate our lives, every aspect of them. Okay, let’s say we all pull together and admit this fact. We already have the actions and tools for starting to manage our situation. And let’s say we all pledge to do so,
- wear masks when around others and inside
- wash hands often
- use hand sanitizer
- stay six feet apart
- avoid large gatherings, especially indoors
- stay home if feeling sick.
And support our healthcare systems and local governments to organize and manage testing and tracing.
Here is the tough part. How do we sustain this level of action and vigilance? Especially when we don’t know how long we must keep it up. This calls for grit and resilience. What is resilience? It is the ability to recover from any adversity usually including a sense of personal growth and deeper understanding. It is a skill that can be learned.
At the American Psychological Association website, I found some ways to increase one’s capacity for a resilient response to adversity. Most fall into the area of self-care,
- Foster and maintain a positive lifestyle; good nutrition, enough sleep, exercise, avoid unhealthy activities
- Practice mindfulness, yoga, journaling, meditation, prayer practice
- Think proactively, what can I do about this problem or issue?
- Take steps to reach your goals
- Welcome opportunities for self-discovery, be brave!
- Keep things in perspective
- Accept change as a natural part of life
- Maintain a positive outlook
And some steps involve acting in the world,
- Emphasize relationships that support and nourish
- Join supportive and positive-action groups
Imagine if we, together, adopted these steps and worked together to change our approach to the pandemic, and for that matter, other challenges like systemic racism. On reflection, there is another silver lining to managing adversity with resilience. Many innovations and technical advances arise from confronting adversity. Just imagine what our world could be.