Coping with the uncertainties: How to handle your emotions better?

“We have to go on unraveling the jumbled threads one at a time, without losing hope. No matter how hopeless her condition may appear to be, we are bound to find that one loose thread sooner or later. If you’re in pitch blackness, all you can do is sit tight until your eyes get used to the dark.”
― Haruki Murakami

With the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic, we are facing a lot of uncertainties, whether its work or personal it has caused significant stress in everyone’s life. Millions in the world have affected by lockdowns, closure of non-essential business, or by the recessions which have resulted in unemployment. For those who have finished degrees and waiting for the job opportunities seems like a mirage now. Thousands of migrant employers across the world facing a dilemma while planning for their future, in addition to a bigger issue i.e, visa-related problems as countries have made strict regulations to address their unemployment problems. Whereas unskilled or semi-skilled workers who migrated from rural to urban places in the country struggling to make their ends meet. Policymakers are in a helpless condition as most of the resources are directed to the health care sector to fight the ongoing pandemic. Personal and professional life imbalance can happen due to stress, unemployment, loans and other financial constraints associated with Coronophobia is causing a significant toll on mental health in the global community. Which is making people vulnerable to anxiety, depression, addictions, and many more mental health-related issues.

In times of crisis, man loses his sense of purpose and identity, many are concerned with the health of loved ones and themselves this may result in a lack of motivation and appreciation in their jobs. For those who are facing hardships to find jobs or lost employment may feel worried about their families. They can also be angry, scared, or jealous and confused about their future.

Mayo Clinic is an American non profit academic medical center  in the US is dedicated to integrated patient care,education, and known for its research. I have used some of the sources from the Mayo clinic to give some life hacks to face the current uncertainties

• Accepting and acknowledging your feelings- No human being on the earth is immune from the stress, our brains are developed to produce certain neurotransmitters during the stressful times which causes a certain range of emotions.
•  Try to give your best, don’t blame yourself for your problems as you have no power to control certain situations.
• Sometimes the loss of a job leads to grief and addresses the grief as similar to the loss of someone you love. Unless you accept you can’t move further.
• Remeber not getting work or losing work in this crisis doesn’t define your worth. It depends on company policies. Believe that you are strong
• Seek assistance, it doesn’t make you look weak in front of others, you should know how to go with the wind, there might be opportunities which may be there with less remuneration than previous ones or below par, your expertise, go for it for the time being.
• Be creative, innovative- adversities bring the best from humans this has been proved time and again. If you have any creative ideas go for it even though it is risky but you still feel it is worth giving a shot.
• Don’tcompare with others, comparison always leads to sadness. There are millions of people who are facing hardships. Grass always looks greener on the other side.
• Keep your relations safe, resolve any misunderstandings, make them understand your struggles. Unless you speak nobody can read your mind.
• Use your resources and energy wisely, focus on your strengths rather than the losses
• Make an activity schedule to occupy yourselves, try and avoid maladaptive coping mechanisms like addiction to substances and gambling. They give momentary pleasures.
• Take care of your physical and mental health
• If you are finding it difficult to manage stress or depression reach out to seek help at the earliest from psychiatrist or psychologist

Remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Earth has faced many pandemics in the past but the strength and resilience shown by the humans made them prevail.