Are you COPING?

WE’RE IN THE MIDST OF A GLOBAL CRISIS. IT’S UNSETTLING EMOTIONALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY. SIA REES GIVES US SOME POINTERS FOR GETTING THROUGH THIS TIME

 Ascertain as to what you can and can’t control. Try, as best as you can, not to put too much time, energy and resources into things you cannot control. News watching/reading can lead to a fixation on the crisis. It can create increased hopelessness and despair. Consider limiting news time to 15 minutes a day.

 For some of us, it might feel like there is nothing you can control. There is. Look for it. Look around you: your home, your family, how you spend your time.

 Structure and clear routine during a crisis is pivotal. It gives us something to control when the world feels out of control. Create new structure and new routines for lockdown. Do things differently. Get up and tackle routine straight away. Set times for meals, for shared housework and for family exercise.

 Step outside of self-reflection for a few moments and take stock of the community. Think of each and every family you know and try to anticipate how difficult it may be for them. Families have lost income, are experiencing domestic violence, are unsure as to how they will manage financially. Are you a family like that? Do you need help? Who and how can you reach out to for support? If you are more fortunate – who and how can you help?

 Most of us are blessed with more time than before. Use this time to rebuild a relationship with yourself. Who are you? What do you want? When this time of crisis is over, how will your priorities change? What will you do differently? Write it down. Look back at it and remember.

 Consider self-care. Dr Monique Tello states that there are four categories that are scientifically proven to support a person’s health and wellness: superior nutrition, physical activity, sufficient sleep and stress management. You need to be intentional about creating time and space for your health and wellness. Be mindful of activities that you think are good for you that might not be: binge-watching television, eating junk food, gaming endlessly.

 This is a difficult time and you’re allowed to have bad days. Acknowledge this, allow this. Your ability to be kind to yourself will encourage you to extend kindness and grace to others. Remember Mother Teresa’s words: “We can do no great things – only small things with great love”.

 Find new ways to connect. We need each other. Make the call. Keep connected. Share in each other’s trauma for there is power in numbers. Pastor Jon Tyson says that superficiality is the crisis of our age, right now we need people with depth. Show up in practical ways. Be a voice of hope.

FOR MORE INFO Sia Rees: Councelling Psychologist, Hillcrest; 083 777 1017