You don’t need me to tell you that we live in unprecedented times. With so many of us forced to stay home for the sake of our health and that of others, while supermarket shelves are remain empty of all the necessities, it’s easy to feel consumed by fear and worry. 

It’s a natural response to uncertainty. Whatever happens, it’s very clear that the world will never be the same again once the current crisis passes. Change is frightening, so it’s understandable if you’re scared right now.

But ask yourself, what purpose does worry serve? Will it stop me from catching coronavirus? Will it help me plan effectively for the coming weeks and months? Can it change the future?

Or is it just another burden to add to an already overloaded mind?

Unless you can think of a really good reason why you would want to feel worried right now, wouldn’t it be better to feel calm and relaxed, even if only for a little while? Stress increases your risk of getting sick, so the more you can reduce your stress levels, the better, even when we’re not suffering from a pandemic.

Here’s a little exercise you can use when you want to develop a more balanced mindset.

Find somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed and sit comfortably. Inhale deeply three times, each time, feeling that breath flowing into your body. Watch where the energy goes and let it fill you with calm and peace. 

You should already feel a little better, but if not, continue to just sit with your breath. Focus on the air flowing in… and out… In… and out… Take as long as you need to feel your body relaxing into peace, just for now.

When you are ready, turn your attention inward and simply observe how you’re feeling. What emotion are you experiencing? Where do you feel it in your body? Do you feel tense in your stomach? Throat? Is your mind buzzing with thoughts of worst case scenarios?

Watch your inner workings until you have a strong sense of what’s going on. And then, if you’re feeling a negative emotion, ask yourself if you can let it go, just for this moment. You can start worrying again after you’ve finished this exercise, but for now, put those worries to one side and allow yourself to feel calm.

You may find it difficult to do this at first, and that’s okay. Simply work on your breath and resolve to try this exercise at a later date when you’re not so stressed.

But if you can experience a period of freedom from your stresses, even if it’s just for a few seconds, embrace that experience. Come back to it again, and each time, expand how long you can set aside your fears. The more you practice this exercise, the more you’ll find this ability naturally extending to your every day life, so you won’t feel as worried all the time.

We cannot change what’s going on around us right now. We cannot control other people’s behaviour, the spread of the virus, or what will happen in the future. But we can control how we respond to it and the less we fear and the more we go with the flow, at the very least, we won’t have to suffer living with that horrible feeling of dread.

And that’s got to be a good thing.

What are you doing to find the silver lining in the clouds currently looming over all of us? Let us know in the comments.