Resilience

This article was written by Anne Kearns. 

Yesterday I was talking to a colleague who is a counsellor in Singapore about the 8 steps towards developing resilience in time of crisis. Statistically people who are resilient have a much better chance of surviving a crisis. I thought it might be helpful to share how to do that so, if this interests you, please read on:

1. Accept reality and grieve for what is no longer possible. It turns out that the people who survive life-threatening situations are those who move quickly through stages of grieving - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. We need to accept that this virus is not going to go away any time soon and that life may not return to normal for a very long time.​
2. Manage your emotions survivors don’t dwell on what’s been lost or the worst that could happen.  Instead they keep calm, evaluate the situation rationally and make a plan based on the facts.  Having said that, watching too much news increases anxiety so limit your intake of news and be selective of what you read on social media.  Check the facts.  Misinformation, even if it comes from well-meaning people, is dangerous.
3. Stop fighting reality.  Those who refuse to take this virus seriously are the ones who will suffer the most and inflict suffering on others.  As hard as it may be to let someone else do your shopping if you or someone you live with is in a high risk category ask for help and take it. As tempting as it may be to gather with friends in the village under cover of dark don’t do it.  Just don’t.
4. Believe in yourself and your abilities to manage this situation. Focus on what you can do each day to feel safe and in control of your surroundings, even when the state has taken control of your freedom and social life. Do something you’ve always wanted to do and keep doing it until you get better at it. 
5. Prepare even if you think it’s too late. Or too soon.  Think ahead about what food to buy to keep for the future, even if it’s food you don’t like. Think about how to manage waste disposal. Is there a place you can keep your full recycling bags and garden waste until… Make a plan for who to contact if you get ill. Make a plan for how to care for but keep distance from someone you live with who may get the virus before you do
6. Keep busy. My partner and I are spending an inordinate amount of time clearing up leaves in our garden.  This is not high on my list of things I like to do.  But it helps. 
7. Make it a game.  See above.  I count sprouting acorns.
8. Think about others. Even if you’re not in a position to physically help others reach out to people who are alone or who might be overwhelmed with having the kids at home or living with someone who needs special care.

Above all BE GRATEFUL for what you have got!

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