How to Create a Sense of Calm in Uncertain Times

Uncertainty is one of our most difficult feelings to manage. We, humans, like to wrap our minds around things, we like to know what’s going to happen. But do we? Hmmm. That’s the age-old question. It is times like these that pull us into the present, that remind us of who we love and what we have.

It’s not what happens to us but what we do with what happens that matters. Research on resilience finds that those who thrive in situations that might defeat others, have somehow figured out how to mobilize their supports and make use of them. They have a sense of reality and acceptance about their circumstances, but they are proactive in taking steps to make things better.

Tips to help manage anxiety and actively create balance and calm through this challenging period:

Take it a day at a time. Don’t panic. Try seeing anxiety as a contagious virus of its own that can undermine your emotional health and the health of the systems that you’re operating in. Take responsibility for your own state of calm.

Make a plan for the day. Organizing your time will give you a greater sense of control and will reassure you and all concerned that much of life can still feel normal.

Maintain family, couple and personal rituals. Rituals provide a sense of stability whether they are coffee in the AM, morning meditation, sitting down for lunch, napping, family time, you name it. Even choosing a movie to watch together, making popcorn, and cuddling up on the couch can be a reassuring family ritual that brings relaxation, pleasure, and calm to everyone.

Maintain your environment. Keep things orderly in your personal world. It counters the feeling of helplessness to take charge of your environment. Do things that give you a sense of agency and control. Clean a cupboard.

Eat a healthy diet. I cannot stress this enough. If you eat foods that are empty calories or do not give you the healthy fuel you need to feel good, or you bog down your system trying to digest what shouldn’t be in it in the first place, your emotional immunity will suffer. Be aware that alcohol lowers physical immunity very significantly. Find alternative ways of relaxing.

Breathe. Remember to do rhythmic, diaphragmatic breathing. It will calm your nervous system and increase your sense of well-being. Take extra downtime. Stress and uncertainty can be tiring, so make sure you relax when you can and find healthy ways of unwinding.

Exercise. Exercise is always important, but as a way of managing stress, depression, or anxiety it is a must. The natural serotonin that your body releases through exercise is one of nature’s most important mood stabilizers. According to research, a brisk walk is as effective at managing depression as medication! To say nothing of the obvious perks of being more fit and feeling great!

Stay positive. Watch your narrative. If you have a doom and gloom narrative, try changing it to a “we’ll all be fine if we pull together and keep our heads straight” one. This tip is crucial; your attitude is up to you. No one can adopt a positive attitude for you, but you owe it to yourself and to those close to you to stay positive.

Don’t isolate. Keep in touch with the people in your life who matter to you. Social isolation is only meant to be physical. You do not need to isolate from family and friends, thanks to the blessing of technology.

Embrace the extra time you have as a result of social distancing. If you are spending more time with your family, make the most of it. Families that learn how to cope and get through things by pulling together are stronger for it. These experiences can be very bonding if you keep your heads and hearts in the right place.

Limit the time you talk about the virus. My daughter suggested this tip and finds that adopting it with her husband and family helps them to stay positive. If you are caring for kids or a couple, talk about the virus when you need to but don’t let it take command of your entire day. Don’t stare at the news all day, keep up on what you need to know then break away and do normal things.

Follow all safety recommendations from the CDC. You do not need to figure this out, you just need to do your best with the information that’s out there. Follow the recommendations of the experts you deem sensible and capable.

Don’t collapse. Our thinking mind tends to go offline when we’re emotionally overwhelmed or panicking. It’s part of the fight/flight trauma response. Creating a schedule, putting things on paper, engaging in a project, organizing a meal or a family activity are all ways of bringing our thinking mind back on board again.

Stay out of fight/flight/freeze. When we get scared or overwhelmed, our animal DNA tells us to run (or run mentally dissociate), to fight (criticize, yell, get aggressive and me-first) or to freeze (shut down, withdraw).

Do a spiritual reset. Instead of getting lost in the feeling of uncertainty, reflect on the idea that all we really know about is today. Challenge yourself to appreciate the moment more fully. Stay in the present!

Finally, reassure those you love that you’re doing well by taking the steps to take care of yourself. If you are in a high-risk group, try not to be an extra burden for those who love you. If you’re an older adult, act with steadiness and maturity.

And keep the big picture in mind. The Italians who hung out the window during lockdown and sang together have seen much worse than this in their communities. They learned that pulling together rather than pulling apart gave them the spiritual nourishment to get through. You may not live close enough to your neighbors to harmonize down the block, but singing will still do your heart good. Look for the silver linings; they are always there.

 

 

Tian Dayton, PhD, TEP

 

Dr. Tian Dayton is the director of The New York Psychodrama Training Institute where she runs training groups in psychodrama, sociometry, and experiential group therapy. Dr. Dayton is a Senior Fellow at The Meadows. She is the author of fifteen books including The Soulful Journey of Recovery, The ACoA Trauma Syndrome, Emotional Sobriety, Trauma and Addiction, Forgiving and Moving On and The Living Stage. For more information about Dr. Dayton, visit tiandayton.com.

For immediate help call 800-244-4949 https://www.themeadows.com

Article reprinted with permission from The Meadows and Dr. Tian Dayton.