Proactive approach may help fear levels
SOMEONE far smarter than I once said ‘the only certainty in life is change’.
His name was Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher and he wrote that back in the late 6th century. Just goes to show that dealing with change is not a recent phenomenon. However, I feel many have lost their touch. And some haven’t really experienced much change in their lives to date.
So here we find ourselves potentially facing enforced changes with Covid-19. You may not, I hope, be directly affected but I’m sure it has gotten into your psyche. A lot of people are fearful for all sorts of reasons. In my own case I might lose my business if all events are cancelled. And of course there is a possibility of me contracting it. Both of these are possibilities but neither are certainties.
I have an approach to fear that has served me well and might be of assistance to you.
Fear is often associated with running away, hiding and freezing from a threat, danger or pain. I have developed an acronym called AUTO to help me cope with fear and dissolve it as much as possible. Let’s go through it. A stands for acknowledge it. There are no prizes for saying ‘I’m not afraid’ when you really are. U stands for understand it. Get as much reliable information together so you can begin to work through it.
Then T is for tactics. For many that was stocking up on toilet paper. Yes – I’m joking. And I’m doing that on purpose because one of the best antidotes to fear is laughing at yourself or just having a good laugh. Tactics are how you best navigate your way through this situation. One of my tactics is making the decision that I’m not going to let fear and worry dominate my thoughts. I’m going to live life based on the last letter of the acronym which is O for open minded.
When you are dealing with something unknown like Covid-19 it is important that you are prepared to be flexible and open minded (even optimistic). It is a moving situation. You might have to change your tactics. I have spent a lot of my time lately working on tactics that may not be needed. But I feel better prepared and less fearful as a result.
In a situation like this, doing nothing will potentially make you more fearful and disempowered. Why not take a proactive approach? Take time to write down what AUTO means to you. For all we know Covid -19 won’t be the last health scare we face. So what can you do to come out of it feeling good about yourself? Maybe you can be a good neighbour or buy some paint to redecorate if you become stuck in the house for two weeks for example.
How you prepare and handle this situation will have a bearing on how quickly you will move on from it when it passes. This is making the best of a bad situation not making the worst of it. Here is an opportunity to engage or regain your ability to manoeuvre around change. And considering fear stops most change there are big lessons to be learned right now that could benefit you in the future.
Eoin Ryan is a Wellness Coach and the organiser of the Wicklow Gaol Break.