Pandemics generate fear: Fear about getting infected and really sick; fear about our hospitals being overwhelmed and us being unable to handle the load with our usual level of expertise; fear about the future of society as we know it.
Here are some suggestions about how to face your fears (adapted from Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW)
Allow yourself to sit with your fear for 2-3 minutes at a time. Breathe with it and say, “It’s okay. It feels horrible but emotions are like the ocean—the waves ebb and flow.” Have something nurturing planned immediately after your 2-3 minute sitting period is completed: Call the good friend waiting to hear from you; immerse yourself in an activity you know is enjoyable and engrossing.
Use humor to deflate your worst fears. There’s plenty of COVID-19 humor to be found on social media.
Appreciate your courage. Every time you don’t allow fear to keep you from doing something that scares you, you are making yourself stronger and less likely to let the next fear attack stop you.
Perhaps the most important coping tool is to be kind to yourself. You have never faced this. None of us has. We will make mistakes. There will be times when will fall short. But it won’t be because we didn’t give it our best effort. Of that I am certain.
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