Hang in there
Wow! A month into this shutdown. Your members are suffering. Your organization’s finances are suffering. Your employees are suffering. Your finances are suffering. Your kids/pets/spouse are driving you nuts. Your parents are stuck in a care home and you can’t stand the news that is coming out about the care home crisis. There’s line ups at the grocery store, the drug store. You see bad intent (or fear) in the eyes of everyone you pass on the street…. Network’s Howard Beale has nothing on you. Hang in there. When you get to the end of your rope, don’t tie a noose!
Here are some tools to stop your mind from imagining the worst-case scenario.
Stop Your Mind from Imagining the Worst-Case Scenario
When you feel anxious about losing things that are dear to you, your mind may imagine the worst.
To calm yourself, return to the present.
- Start simple. Name five things in the room: There’s a computer, a chair, a picture of the dog, an old rug, and a coffee mug.
- Breathe. Realize that in the present moment, this room is your reality. In this moment, you’re OK. Use your senses, think about how these objects feel. The desk is hard. Feel the breath come into your nose. The goal is to find balance in your thoughts.
- If you feel a negative image taking shape, make yourself think of a positive one. Let go of what you can’t control. And be compassionate and patient with yourself and others. Being generous in your thinking can help brush aside some of your negative thoughts.
This tip is adapted from “That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief,” by Scott Berinato
Meditation
Yeah, we’ve all heard we should take time to meditate as it provides focus, but who has the time when the world as we know it is ending? Andy Puddicombe, through the website Headspace.com provides some short guided 10 minute meditations. These are a great way to reduce stress. Andy takes a very gentle and non-judgmental approach. Give it a try.
Hang in there, it will get better. For other useful advice check out our Leadership Support Program