Staying Calm in a Crisis
In this period of the pandemic, how can we stay happy?
By: Saniya
With the pandemic and the general bustle of life, the next new source of stress is always just around the corner. With all of this uncertainty, it can be easy to be frustrated and anxious. Not only does this affect your mental state, but it can often seep into your personal and professional lives. However, there are seemingly small things that can help you be more calm, less stressed, and have a better mood overall.
- Distract yourself
While it is important not to completely tune out life, distracting yourself can help with stress. Take a mental break and watch TV or talk to friends and family instead of constantly thinking about the topic that is causing you stress.
2. Don’t be preoccupied with happiness
Often actively chasing positive emotions like happiness will result in the opposite effect, with people becoming more unhappy as a result. There can be a sense of failure when you think “I should be happy” or “I must be calm at all times.” This is unrealistic and can often lead you to think less about other people in your life.
3. Focus on the small things in life
Think of the small things in life that bring you joy. You can write down the things that have made you happy, and you will probably feel more grateful and appreciative of your life. You can also think about the small things in your life that you want to change. This gives you a sense of control in this chaotic time.
4. Travel
Traveling can often take your mind off your daily life, as you get immersed in a new place with new people. In fact, living in a more beautiful place, actually leads to a higher mental state. Just a 20–30% increase in blue space visibility (like bodies of water, or even the sky) can improve someone’s mental state.
5. Meditate
Practicing meditation and mindfulness can help your mental state. It can clear your head and you can often gain new perspectives on stressful situations while reducing negative emotions.
