Resilience in the face of uncertainty

I will keep this brief because you are probably still adjusting to working online from a corner of your home, and/or home-schooling your kids.
There has never been a greater risk of burnout, so here are ten quick tips to protect your mental health.  I will produce a lengthier version later, when we all have more time.

1. It is okay to cry, scream, or just shut off for now. Your brain and body is doing what it needs to to survive this.  There is no such thing as a Superhero.
2. Forgive yourself for the substandard.  You cannot be a fantastic employee, parent, partner and friend.  See above re being a Superhero.
3. Ride the rollercoaster.  It is understandable that you will feel anxious and scared one minute, and then peaceful and even content at another time.  You are simply responding to a sudden, dramatic change to your life.
4. Know your triggers.  That might be the news, updates on social media, or friends constantly talking about the virus.  You can turn it off, or ask them to stop mentioning it.
5. Know what you can change, and make those changes.  For the unchangeable, radically accept it.  This means you need to let go and accept the new reality.
6. Keep things in proportion.  Yes, get essential supplies but don’t be an ass and deprive the vulnerable of that because you have stockpiled enough for the next decade.
7. In this brave new world the ‘rules’ are still being created.  We have to remain connected with each other, so if you once felt a little uncomfortable with Facetime or Google Hangout, give it a whirl.  And the science says that new experiences can increase the levels of dopamine (feel good stuff), so what is there to lose?!
8. Indulge yourself.  There is so much out there that is being offered for free (from Ivy League courses online, stories read by celebrities, to meditation and yoga classes).  Go grab it all now.  If nothing else, it is a healthy distraction.
9. Make self-care more palatable.  Just a little bit of self-care means we have just a little bit more energy to focus on our work and family and friends.  It is not selfish, it is strategic so we can help others.
10. Look for the kindness. Yes, there are asshole hedge funders and senators who are profiting from inside knowledge of the stock market crash, but there are plenty more kind people who are looking out for each other.  Hold onto that.

Take care, and stay connected in any way you kind.  And reach out if you need to ask any questions.  Perhaps you need some new suggestions about how to exercise self-care.  Get in touch.

Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
​www.exploretansform.com