Alex Lecomte: Isolation Is Tough But So Are You

Over the past two months, our reality has significantly changed. The whole planet is now facing a new invisible global threat: the dramatic COVID-19 pandemic.  People all over the world have been very talkative about the risks of contamination, asking citizens and governments to take some measures to prevent from a faster spread of the disease.  The emergency security rules have unfortunately brought a negative side-effect; a potential risk to affect our peace of mind and mental health.  For obvious reasons, the economy is widely affected and brings a lot of important questions for the future and a certain fear when it comes to paying the current bills. This moment is also very sensitive for whoever has or had to deal with addictions since we are much more exposed to a deep form of stress.   It is important to be informed but it is also very important to keep in mind that we need to fight for our inner peace of mind or we will dive into a limbo.   Those threatening consequences of the isolation are invisible but well-known and for some of us even familiar: Stress and anxiety are two of the most common forms of emotional discomfort related to this coronavirus quarantine.  Here are some recommendations to prevent yourself from letting the current situation take over your life—and how to fight back.  Avoid the excess of information: It can generate anxiety There is no need to be completely drowned in a constant flow of information, comments and feedbacks. Most of the time, unfortunately, these messages include a lot of rumors and unverified stories which can lead you to overthink the situation. By forcing yourself to absorb so much information, your brain is in a state of constant alert, a kind of survival mode that can block your natural capacities to relax and discern relevant pieces of information.  Avoid thinking that you are a victim In many situations, placing yourself in the position of the victim can distort the reality and the facts. The high frequency of such a toxic behavior can, unfortunately, lead you to think that your feelings are the representation of the reality and that it will not change. This is inaccurate, for example: If you have to stay at home, remember that it is not a punishment but a contribution to self-preservation for a positive action at a global scale. Solitude doesn’t mean abandon  Obviously being asked to refrain from any offline social interactions will generate a feeling of solitude. The current global situation requires such a measure; it is bad and it is an emergency: But, it is extremely important to remember that solitude doesn’t mean loneliness.  Loneliness is a powerful feeling that can often lead to certain forms of depression. During the isolation, it is strongly recommended to use all the communication tools that are now completely part of our lives, such as the phone, Skype, Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp, etc., to stay in touch with our circles. There are also many ways to take advantage of the fact that many people are now online to participate more in community groups such as Facebook or Youtube, etc…  Avoid negativism Do not let yourself sink into negative thoughts. The situation is bad, yes, but not everything is dark. It is not the end of the world. If you keep yourself in a loop of negativity, this will prevent your brain from creating alternative scenarios that can help to generate hope and therefore to find a solution to your problem. Constant negativity is a dangerous form of self-destruction and can lead us to try to escape from our own thoughts by using any kind of substance. Always remember that you have the control over your thoughts; allow yourself to decide.  Do something It is heavily recommended to “do something." (Too) Many posts and articles and websites or even friends and family are recommending to explore your hobbies: for example, learn a new language or acquire a new skill, etc… It doesn’t need to be so spectacular, it is just important for you to stimulate your brain, occupy your hands and move your body in order to avoid some sort of existential lethargy.  Don’t lose track of time Most of us in the industry are working with flexible schedules or from home so there might not be such a notion of routine for productivity but it is recommended to maintain a pattern for your meals and breaks to improve your physical well-being. Your body is a machine that needs to be calibrated. The lack of goals and guidelines during the day can also be a source of anxiety and insecurity fed by a sense of disorganization.  You are so much stronger than what you think and this situation is nothing compared to what you can accomplish. Do not think that it’s easier to say rather than to do. You are fully capable. Let’s all go through this so we can work harder and better after.  Alex Lecomte is the managing director for 7Veils social media.