The outbreak of Coronavirus is proving very scary and very hard as human beings for us to know to handle. This disease we are learning more and more about by the day is causing a lot of stress and anxiety for everyone.
I went into the supermarket on the weekend and I was shocked and scared by how empty so many shelves were, seeing so many people in a flap and watching the elderly try and shop when they are surrounded by frenzy. I didn’t think I have ever experienced that before and it was a shock to the system.
In the workplace, companies are having to implement strategies to deal with this, should we go into lockdown? They are implementing non-essential travel bans, working from home so as not to spread the virus and refraining from external meetings where possible. The whole landscape of the way we used to work is changing right before our eyes. So many things nowadays can be done remotely and this will be no different. It could even become the new “Normal”.
Everyone reacts differently to situations but it’s important for us to stay strong and positive. In many ways, it can make us a stronger and more united community.
Here are some key tips on what we can do to stay positive and reduce stress:
- Keep calm and carry on – business as usual where possible.
- Be resilient.
- Communicate – talk with your colleagues and bosses regularly.
- Take breaks from watching the news as it can be upsetting.
- Take care of yourself – eat well, drink plenty of water.
- Get plenty of rest and sleep.
- Exercise or get some fresh air.
- Only worry about the things you can control.
- Focus on the tasks at hand.
- Take each day as it comes.
- Write a list of what you are going to achieve each day.
- Ask your colleagues, are you ok?
- Listen to what people have to say. They may have family members overseas that are in lock down or know of someone that has contracted the virus.
- Smile and have a laugh.
This is a terrible thing that is happening in the world right now but, as many other catastrophes, we will get past it this also. Resilience is key.
Marianne Savas – Divisional Manager