Choosing the Right Mindset for This Challenge - Show Notes:
With the uncertainty and fear around the coronavirus pandemic, how are you coping? Are you reacting with fear or responding with a plan?
In this episode you'll learn how to create and maintain the best mindset for navigating through this difficult situation.
Summary:
- Current pandemic situation and numbers at the time of recording.
- The constant drumbeat of news and government information can add to stress.
- As with any major event, our brains are wired to ask, consciously or unconsciously, “What does this mean for me?”. Initially, we may react with a strong fear response because of the confusion and uncertainty.
- After your initial shock, you may enter into disempowered thinking patterns founded on fear and blame.
- I encourage you to look at the big picture of the coronavirus situation. This doesn’t mean ignoring or minimizing the impact, but it does mean looking beyond the headlines and social media noise.
- It’s vital we continue taking needed precautions such as social distancing and other measures recommended by health officials. That’s simply common sense.
- This does not mean we need to be frozen in place or or stay stuck in a fear and blame reaction mindset.
- When the brain perceives danger, physiological changes happen to include redirection of blood away from those parts of the brain where conscious thinking and reasoning occur. In addition, our immune and healing systems can be weakened. These are the very systems we need to help us prevent or fight the COVID-19 virus.
- If you find yourself in a constant flow of disempowering fear and blame thinking, recognize what is happening. Stop, allow yourself to take a walk, engage in calm deep breathing (listen to previous episodes for self-care techniques), and decide to ask yourself a few empowering questions to create a response mindset rather than a stress reaction mindset.
- Recognize what you can and cannot control, place your attention on what you can control including conversations family.
- What to say to children and how to keep them reassured.
- Create a written plan and adjust the plan as circumstances change.
- In summary: Choose a response mindset rather than a reaction mindset. It’s vital to keep stress as low as possible to ensure you’re at your best in brain, mind, and body. Recognize what you can control and what is out of your control. Focus on decisions and actions within your control with a written plan you adjust as circumstances change.
- Please remember, this too shall pass. We will get through this pandemic. We may even be a stronger and safer world as a result.
Host: Stephen W. Carter, CEO Stress Solutions, LLC.
Previous episodes and how to subscribe: http://www.MindOverStress.us
Questions or comments: CarterMethod@gmail.com
Mic: BY
Keywords: mindset, COVID-19, coronavirus, calm, optimum brain power, emotions, emotional wellbeing
