The Covid-19 threat is not going away fast – for the foreseeable future coping with it in our daily lives will become the new normal. So we must develop a new attitude to each other and cultivate appropriate prevention habits. Such an attitude will be a combination of responsible citizenship, and neighbourly love. Simply put, it’s about practicing African ‘ubuntu’.
Changing the Lockdown rules enables people to get back to their livelihoods, it does not mean that the risk of catching COVID-19 is over. Actually the risk is increased.
Under stress we often try to cope by deleting those activities we consider to be non-essential. And so exercise is often the first to go – not a good idea! Here are some good suggestions.
Face it – you can only take so much – the stress of ‘lockdown’ pushes us all to the limit. Physical and mental stress can lead to burnout. That’s when you feel overwhelmed and emotionally drained – you just can’t meet the constant demands.
Are you a bit like me? During this Lockdown it has sometimes felt like I just want to curl up at the bottom of my dark cupboard. I’ve felt lonely – I’ve missed the hugs, the warmth, and the loving presence of my family and friends. I’ve longed for time just to sit and chat; or go for a walk with real, living bodies. Connecting on Zoom just didn’t seem to do it anymore!
It’s been one helluva year, 2020. And so, as it gradually draws to a close, many South Africans will be looking forward to the holiday season. This is typically the time to switch your mind off work, prepare for the festive season, just chill, or hang-out with friends. Typically it is also the time when we spend more money on gifts, parties, spending our bonuses (for those lucky enough to receive such a blessing) on luxury items, or new clothes, or going away on holiday.
This JOKO website is filled with resources and encouraging stories of strength from abused women. Although you may feel very lonely and isolated, you will find that you are not alone if you are able to open up and seek help.
Act to seek out such suffering – it may be hiding in that very women or child in front of you. Fear and pain are hidden within victims of violence. They often tend to remain silent about their shame, pain and fear. They are likely to be all around; in a meeting, queueing in the canteen, or rubbing shoulders in a taxi. So reach out with kindness and love – you may prevent a trauma, even save a life, and help restore hope and belief in life.
When it comes to cultivating resilience, the magic is in the very first step. When cultivating your resilience become aware of your mental and emotional state. Remember that if you get into an anxious, or even angry ‘state’, you can easily go into a downward spiral where the negative feeling gets stronger. That’s called a ‘feedback loop’.
In these challenging times you could be feeling worn-out and experiencing low tolerance. Yes, we have also been warned that we will all be facing unexpected challenges for some time. So how do you navigate these stormy waters?
