Family relationships
– Cement that family relationship – whatever form your family takes, with those closest to you.
Write down what you think are your loved ones’ greatest strengths, and then share them in person, by phone, card, or email. “When people hear that you notice and appreciate their strengths, and you tell them why, it builds self-esteem for you, and for them,” says Mark. “It will cement trusting supportive relationships in the family for the longer term.”
Go easy on yourself
– We all want to be a great friend, boss, partner but it’s unrealistic to expect you are going to be great at everything.
Importantly, note down the things you are achieving. “If you make that list and tick the box as you go, you are more likely to realise that you are accomplishing things,” he says. “Knowledge that you are getting things done, builds your self-esteem.”
This means you’re stepping into a zone where you integrate any anxiety you may feel. Normalise it into your life – rather than avoiding it or ruminating over it.
Play to your strengths
– If you understand and play to strengths during difficult times you’re more likely to get into a state of what sports people call “the zone” and psychologists call “the flow”.
“This can be confidence building because with “flow”, time seems to go more quickly and you can get a lot done,” says Mark. “It also helps build your optimism because you have evidence of things you have achieved, even in these challenging times.”
Physical health:
– Looking after your physical health and building positive physical health habits, through exercise, nutrition and sleep could help you to build healthy habits that are sustainable beyond this period of uncertainty.
Ask yourself ‘What will be the very best ‘me’ that I can achieve in 6 months’? Says Mark: “Each day, if you establish actions for a good future health outcome, you’ll find it is a great way to shift yourself from getting stuck in the negatives and uncertainty of the now. Know that you are making progress day by day to a bigger, longer term goal.”
Mental health:
Acknowledge when you feel anxious – it is a universal, healthy, human response to real or perceived threats as well as to big changes and uncertainty. “If you integrate anxiety you can free your mind up to focus on the things that matter, rather than fight it and doubt yourself.”
Involve yourself in activities that help build positive, supportive relationships across your network – using the telephone, Zoom, Skype or any other online means, as many of us have discovered.
Says Mark: “Seize the opportunity! Time spent on relationships is seldom wasted – especially when it comes to good mental health.”
We trust these insights help you be prepared, to optimise your chances of thriving beyond COVID-19.
**With thanks to Johannes Leak for cartoon illustration, published with permission.
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