Many of us are still woozy after the emotional rollercoaster of 2020.
In a sense we’re still holding our breath, wondering if another shock announcement is around the corner.
Living with this kind of uncertainty takes its toll.
According to Swinburne University, levels of depression, anxiety and stress are three times higher in Australia than in previous years.
Mental health experts are predicting an influx of people coming into the mental health system.
We are not out of pandemic mode, so it is important to be mentally prepared for the fact that it isn’t over yet.
Here are five tips for navigating uncertainty:
1. Get your head around what you can control
Knowing what you can control – and what you can’t – is an important life skill no matter the circumstances.
This chart by Mellow Doodles is a useful one, for example:
You can control where you direct your energy, but you can’t control where others direct theirs.
If we can learn the difference, and take responsibility for our choices, we are more likely to thrive rather than just survive.
2. Break it down
A parent chops food into smaller portions to help their baby digest it more easily.
Likewise, when we break problems down into smaller portions we can focus on one small step at a time.
Break your problem down into four parts, for example, and make a plan to tackle each part.
Maybe you’ll need to reach out to your support network to help you manage.
For example, if we go into lockdown again, make a plan to call a friend or zoom with them once a week.
Write a healthy eating and exercise chart.
And work out a schedule to support others who might be doing it tough. Maybe every Monday you will deliver a box of Woolworths online groceries to South Eastern Community Connect in Mascot, for example, to pass on to our clients.
3. Start the day with prayer or meditation
What does your mindfulness routine look like?
When we are more mindful and relaxed, we can increase our tolerance for things which are hard to swallow.
Meditation, mindfulness or prayer builds resilience.
Look for apps which support you with reminders to do this regularly, such as Insight Timer or Faithful Workouts.
4. Nurture your body
When we’re stressed, our physical health can take a backseat.
The pillars of good health are to get quality sleep, drink lots of water and exercise regularly.
These things will give you more energy to cope with the outside world.
5. Talk to others
Do you have people in your life that you feel safe talking to?
When you speak to them, do you feel heard?
Are they a good sounding board?
Do they offer you rational solutions to your problems?
Can they direct you to other services if you need further help?
Why not write a list of the people in your life you can trust.
If the list is short, consider reaching out to community organisations such as ours (call 02 7903 0607 for guidance on current programs) – or go through your phone list and get back in touch with old friends who may be free to meet for coffee (or a zoom chat).
You are never alone, and don’t you forget it.
