- Tough times are an opportunity to grow
The Covid-19 pandemic is the most challenging event that has occurred during our lifetime and has created at least some worries in most of us. During such challenging times, it is natural to react in a way that ensures our safety and that of our loved ones. Attending our most immediate needs and addressing immediate challenges are the first things that come into anyone’s mind.
However, these challenging times also provide us with opportunities to grow, support others, and become accomplished in new and different ways. It gives us an opportunity to search about ourselves and who we can become.
Figure 1 will be helpful to find out who you are and who you want to be during this difficult time. It involves three zones; the fear zone, the learning zone, and the growth zone. Each of these zones reflect behaviours that we might recognise in ourselves and others, and they can help us to work out how we and others are handling the challenges that we are experiencing.
Fear zone
Many of us start this journey from the fear zone. We feel irritable and upset as a result of the mass uncertainty which leads to panic buying and storing food, medicines, and essentials. This has been seen across the world during the initial period of the pandemic, irrespective of the stage of development of the country.
It is quite normal for humanity to respond with fear during the initial point, since it is closely linked with the fight or flight mechanism. Our sleep is interrupted, our appetite is altered, and our panic leads us to participate in reactionary behaviours. In this game of survival, people tend to act first and think later.
Transmitting anger, anxiousness, and insecure emotions on others is quite commonly seen during this zone. With a fearful mind, people tend to panic because of the information they receive through social media and never think twice to disseminate the information they receive. At this point, dissemination of false information and myths are commonly seen creating fear psychosis among the public.
Learning zone
The learning stage is characterised by an intake of information and understanding of the pandemic and what is needed to stay healthy and safe. As they move to the learning zone, people start thinking of letting go of the things that are not under their own control. Panic buying, anxiety, and compulsive behaviours get under control at this point. Being aware of the situation and thinking about the best way to act according to the situation is learned by most of the people.
At this point, most of us adapt to the “new normal” quite comfortably , learn to be mindful about the situation, and follow safety precautions. People learn to verify the information before they circulate it and learn that there is a lot of fake information which is detrimental if disseminated to the public. Identifying their own emotions and acknowledging that everyone is doing their best happens in this zone.
We are flooded with news reports and information, some of which are inaccurate and unscientific. Hence, it is important to filter out what is correct and what is wrong. At this stage, we are also recognising the factors that contribute to low mood and promptly cutting it out, particularly food and media. We are recognising just how big this issue is and that we are not alone, as we are all in it together. This provides us with a profound sense of togetherness.
Growth zone
As we move on to the growth zone, mastering of empathising with others’ feelings becomes prominent. At this stage, people learn not to stigmatise infected people and instead, find ways to help them. People tend to use their skills to help others by keeping themselves happy and transmitting hope to the community. In the growth zone, we avoid blaming the situation and learn to live in the present moment and focus on the future. The spirit of volunteerism , innate in all of us, arises at this stage and enables us to extend kindness to neighbours, support access to medical care for those in need, and support in providing goods for the elderly and vulnerable people within our community.
During this stage it can also be advantageous to have a mindfulness routine, such as a practice of 10 minutes of conscious breathing every morning to be grounded and be present in the moment. Routines are crucial to continue this stage. Reaching out to friends and family and offering help if needed will also be helpful to find a purpose for life, which is something we as humans need.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, most of us have traversed back and forth between these three zones and it is worthwhile to see where we are right at this moment. At times, we may be stuck in the fear zone when we are in severe stress or have had bad experiences of the pandemic.
We may find the growth zone when we take the time to enjoy life and enjoy the moment. We may want to be in the growth zone, yet we are in the learning zone and part of the process is to get to the growth zone.
The most important thing however, is to take notice of where you are as that helps to understand where you need to be and how to move forward. Leveraging the feeling of anxiety into preparedness is the healthiest way to process it.
Going back into the world at your own pace and adhering to wearing a facemask correctly, washing hands, and maintaining social distance are ways to do this. You need not feel forced or pressured to resume your old routine right away. Making slow, steady steps forward is the best approach, coupled with the acceptance that things will be different for the foreseeable future even as you progress. Being grateful for the positive changes and being mindful of how important the little things are will help you adapt to the new normal.
(The writer is a Medical Officer at the Directorate of Healthcare Quality and Safety of the Ministry of Health)
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.