The Coronavirus pandemic is a new and unique situation. No one has been through anything like it. This situation requires cooperation between people, cultures, and countries. How can we take care of ourselves and contribute positively?

What’s happening?

A highly contagious virus is quickly spreading all over the world. Although it is rarely deadly and many cases don’t even produce symptoms, health care systems are being overwhelmed in nations with high rates of infection and the global economy is in recession.

Schools, restaurants, and bars are closed to the public in many places, and some cities and states are issuing “shelter in place” orders, directing citizens not to leave their homes except for essential errands and exercise. When we do go out, a “social distancing” of at least three feet is recommended. The world we live in is already a very different place, and the future is more unknown than ever. With limited opportunities for the social connections that are so important to human life, we’ll need to get creative to stay safe and support each other through this time of change.

My daughter is at home with her family, lodged together on their farm. Eight children and a hard-working husband taking care of animals and managing his business. She home-schools most of her children, the oldest were sent home from their jobs. The family raises some of their food, including eggs from the chickens.

My oldest granddaughter lives with friends, was just laid-off from her job, and she is sick. My granddaughter asked if she could come home, because she needs the comfort of the family.  Her mom loves her, but said, “If you are sick don’t come home.” Too many brothers and sisters at home who could be affected by contact. Several days later my daughter’s 9-month old baby is running a fever of 103 and not feeling well. My daughter is being stretched.

How Do We Keep Ourselves Balanced in the Coronavirus Pandemic?

My clients, friends and families share what they are going through with Covid 19. Some of the challenges I’m hearing about include:

• Depressed – I’m feeling so down
• Scared – I’m not prepared. I’m afraid of running out of food and supplies.
• Freaking out – I’m freaking out about money. I don’t know how I’m going to pay bills.
• Crashing – I can’t move, I feel like I’ve crashed.
• Confusion – I don’t know what happened.
• Powerless – I feel powerless.
• Aloneness –I miss my friends, my family, and my activities. I feel so alone.

If you feel any of the above and more, you are not alone.  We are all together.

Different Ways to Comfort

Learn about what makes you feel peaceful and comfortable.  We can’t go to movies, sporting events, restaurants, and options for vacations are limited.

We need to recognize what we can do inside our homes and our minds as we are locked in with our devices. Phones, tablets, television, and computers are feeding people an endless stream of in-the-moment updates. Your mind and body might go into flight or flight mode in fear.  Your body shifts resources from the immune system to your reptilian brain so you can fight or run from a threat, but this isn’t that kind of threat.

Post Positive Social Media  

In a time of negative news, shock and reactions, flip to the positive messages.  Avoid adding to confusion, fear, and anger. Be the light that shines.

Music is very comforting. 

YoYo Ma talked in an interview today and expressed our challenge as humans, sharing his perspective.

“Every human being has the ability to contribute something: word, deed, or figure out what you can contribute,” YoYo Ma shared in the interview on OPB radio.

He then played a beautiful piece of music. I listened, feeling more ease, peace, and comfort.

Reach Out 

It really helps when someone cares about you.  Call people who are distanced and isolated and could use connection. Reach out to neighbors who need help with things like grocery shoppping, especially those at high risk, like the elderly.

My mother lives across the country and she relies on her daily activities at the local senior center to mix with people. All social activities are cancelled for weeks. The senior gatherings are cancelled for card games that she enjoys to exercise her mind like Pokeno, Bingo, and to exercise her body physical exercises and line dancing.

I call my mother daily at an agreed-upon time so she feels connected to family. Today we got on to Facetime, so we could see each other.  She needed help with ordering something online. I helped her order the item. We talked about the room, her hair, the weather, and laughed about her bird. Simple topics are good.

People are posting offers on social media such as: “I’m going shopping. Does anyone need anything from this neighborhood?”

Be a more resilient culture in this “black swan” moment. Follow advice of the local government and stay safe, be strong. Hard moments feel endless. Imagine how you will look back on this time five years from now and take back to the present moment what helped you survive and be strong.

Remind your friends “this too will pass.” As my Co-Author Bela Friedman says in our book Lessons from a Fall, “Breathe in faith, breathe out fear.”  Our book was created to share difficult times we experienced, what we learned, and how it contributed to our lives and the lives of others.  Our intention in writing the book was to inspire our readers that we all go through complicated lives and difficult times can teach us and contribute to the world.

During this pandemic, be the one in a crowd to comfort. Create a comfortable perspective. Help tone down the fears amidst the blaring of news and panic. Make time for others, and be the light that brightens.

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Apositiva offers a safe space in person or online to enrich the lives of others. We welcome people seeking assistance in life to be happier, more peaceful and relaxed, and live more enhanced lives. Training is available to learn about creativity, hypnotherapy, NLP and much more.

Lessons from a Fall is available at New Renaissance, Annie Bloom’s Books, Crystal Books, and Lulu.com.

Our book proves that through grit and inner strength — nothing is impossible.

Our lesson is that although changing oneself can often seem impossible, it can be done. We each write about our personal challenges, sometimes in painful detail that brought us from adversity into love, fulfillment and our current roles as healers of the mind and heart.

Lessons From a Fall makes a great gift for yourself and others who are searching for an engrossing and well-written book to keep by your bedside to read over and over.

Here is the link to purchase the book: http://www.lulu.com/shop/bela-friedman-and-rebecca-hufford-and-catherine-wilson/lessons-from-a-fall-three-powerful-women-and-their-stories-of-transformation-and-growth/paperback/product-24367942.html

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Cat Wilson at catwilsoncoach@gmail.com or call 503-816-5104.