An invisible Novel Corona virus pandemic outbreak declares an unprecedented war with mankind and triggers multiple crises in an enormous scale, such as health, economy, work, family, education, entertainment and daily survival, like a mega tsunami waves sweeping global shores.
Career or work plays a crucial part of a modern man or woman’s life and identity. Workplace and workday routine provide employees with stability, security, structure, and a sense of control, direction, and empowerment. Social Distance, Shelter In Place Order impact companies and employees immediately, change employees’ workday routines, workday social interaction, create career and economical uncertainty, daily reality suddenly changes to virtual reality.
Common Reaction
Shock, disbelief, fear, anger, anxiety, isolation are common emotions and reactions. It may be manifested through minor frustrating or irritating feelings and snowballing into intense fight-or-flight stress reflex inducing explosive temper, panic attacks, impulsive and destructive actions. There are three powerful primitive survival driving forces which also are popular marketing tactics; they are sex, fear and hate. During COVID-19 crisis, fear and hate can be easily inflamed and capitalized.
Vicious Cycle
Loss and hidden grief starts the circuit of uncertainty due to millions of workers sudden loss of workplace facility, amenity, loss of social support, team work, familiar routines and comfort. Uncertainty paves the way to anxiety, fear, and loss of incomes and financial security. In order to suppress those turbulent worries from escalating into a catastrophe, internal worrisome energy tends to find dysfunctional and excessive impulsivity as a default outlet and develop a vicious cycle without self-awareness.
When the regular routine is disrupted and a sudden void (loss of control) is created, obsessive eating, drinking, shopping, and addictive habits become a new normal routine and the excessive repetitive practice provides familiarity and comfort so that irrational thoughts, dysfunctional emotions and behaviors are reinforced to form a vicious cycle.
Excessive Behavioral Pattern as a Cover-up of Insecurity and Anxiety
The following are some behaviors that may arise:
- Tune in 24-hr. news channels or socialize through social media and electronic devices
- Online ordering. Hoarding.
- Binge eating. Snack eating.
- Drinking alcohol or using addictive substances
- Stock trading, online gambling
- Gaming
- Pornography
- Any behavior that fills the void, boredom, and the need of in control
Anxiety and fear weaken physical health immune system and defense mechanism. Feeling of anxiety, isolation, fear and overwhelmingness tend to strip an individual’s self-discipline or self-control; negative emotions create downward spiral, rigid perspectives, and eventually bleak tunnel vision and self-fulfilling prophesy.
Positive Coping Strategies
The following coping strategies are a few simple and practical suggestions to stop and reverse the vicious cycle.
- Effective Time Management Skills
- Stress Management Skills
- Limit time in watching anxiety-provoking news channel
- Set reasonable small and achievable goals every day
- A daily to-do-project list
- A daily to-do-chore list
- A 10-minute-exercise list
- A favorite movie-to-watch list
- A favorite book-to-read list
- A favorite entertainment activity-to-do list
- A daily/weekly-menu-planning list
- A daily dosage of health-related knowledge
- A daily dosage of positive thought
- A daily dosage of achievement confirmation
- Applied Life Skill Learning
- Social Skill Development
- Empathy
- Awareness of Interpersonal Dynamics
- Simple Nutritious Cooking. Immune System Boosting Healing Food.
- Self-improvement. Self-awareness.
- Parenting Skills. Positive Behavioral Modeling.
- Anger Management
- Mindfulness. Meditation. Spiritual Centeredness.
- Organization of Personal Space. De-clutter.
- Simplify. Simplicity
- Slow down the rhythm. Stop restless rat race.
- Tolerance. Acceptance. Resilience.
- Gratitude. Appreciation.
- Change External Locus of Control to Internal Locus of Control
- Contentment. Happiness.
Conclusion: Silver Lining of the Novel Crisis
Novel Corona virus not only brings life-threatening crisis but also a loud and tough wake-up call for mankind to reflect and reset many life-changing issues and perspectives. Hopefully, the war with the invisible micro-biological enemy can bring the following side effects through the challenging combating process.
- Divert the Energy of Fear into Innovative Creativity
- Divert the Energy of Hate and Scapegoating into Humility
- Divert the Energy of Human Control into Respect of Celestial Wisdom
Note: The above information is presented as informational only. If you require guidance, please see a mental health professional.
Bio:
Dr. Trudy is a psychologist in California and Oregon working with Asian American communities. Her website: www.DrTrudy.com.