COVID-19 Emergency

Finding oneself suddenly caught up in a global pandemic is a transformative event that none of us were prepared for. The lockdown that we all had to abide by starting in March 2020, and all the subsequent restrictions, forced us to change many of our habits, whether they were personal, work, or relational habits. For some it may have been very difficult to have to give up some daily routines, for others however the slowing down of demands and pressures from the outside world may have also had a positive effect on their lives. And then, of course, there are those who have had to face the fear of contagion or, unfortunately, the pain and suffering in the face of illness or death of loved ones, or have had the misfortune to experience the effects of the virus first hand. When the virus first struck, it certainly caught us unprepared, but at the same time we were able to find resources to rely on, as if we had had to face a sudden, very cold winter, but strong with the stock of supplies made in previous seasons. There are those who have reaped benefits from this period, and those who have held on simply by relying on the idea that we will be fine and we will make it.

Today, after an uncertain but longed-for return to a semi-normal state, we unfortunately find ourselves facing the harsh winter again, forced to deal with a pandemic that has no intention of going away, that comes back to bite us after a period of apparent calm. The risk, today, is that there is no supply of provisions to protect us. That the resources we had at the beginning of this all are more faded today. We feel weighed down and fatigued by the continuation of this situation, by the incessant hammering, in the media and elsewhere, about the virus, its danger, lethality, incidence, variants, vaccines, and the effects of the pandemic on the world economy at all levels. Today, in front of the slogans so popular a few months ago, we might want to say:

Yes, we will be fine and we will make it, but when?

This is the risk that the prolonged emergency poses for us: not the risk of being unprepared, but the one of being impotent and weakened. Tired and discouraged. Disoriented and frightened, overwhelmed by a whole series of sensations and emotions that are completely new and difficult to recognize and decipher. Precisely for this reason, a program of psychological support can be of great help to learn to recognize the emotions you are feeling and manage them better, regaining control over your life.

In addition, at the bottom of this page you will find 8 short tips to help you regain some of your lost resources and feel better.

Observe
Fortunately, it seems that a new lockdown scare is gone,
and we will no longer be completely forbidden to leave the house.
Take advantage of it.
Let the outdoors and nature restore your vitality.
Observe the outside world and appreciate the beauty that was denied to us for a while.
Of course, respect social distancing and take all precautions!

Slow down
One of the things that struck many people during the lockdown was that suddenly the world began to slow down. Some things that seemed absolutely essential and unrelenting became less important,
and we found that we could let them flow, that we could decide not to react immediately.
This can happen even now.
You decide how to spend your time and your energy,
and if you give yourself the power to slow your world down, it will.

Be Confident
You don't have to yell "We'll make it" from the balcony to have confidence.
Being aware of ourselves can be enough.
To have confidence means being able to adapt to the new situation.
It means that yes, sooner or later it will be okay, and that until then you can do your best to go on living your life, knowing that it is the only thing really in our power.
It's about the ability to take back control of your life, with serenity and conviction.

Listen
This period has been and still is difficult for everyone.
It has been a period of sharing, of thoughts, of efforts, of anguish.
A time of long phone calls, video calls, meetings.
A long time of listening. Don't forget. Listen, to yourself and to others.
Give those around you a chance to be heard.
Sometimes listening is the most effective way to help us overcome our difficulties.

Respect
t may seem like a no-brainer, but remember not to force yourself too hard.
Just because you can, at least in part, do what you used to do, doesn't mean you have to.
Respect your own pace and limits so you can get back to normal, in your own way.

Differentiate
Keep the different parts of the day separate, especially if you're smart-working, quarantined or in isolation.
Keep daily routines active: wash, dress, eat breakfast at the times you're used to.
Separate environments: the couch and the bed are for resting only. The dining table is not the work desk.
If you don't have enough space, don't worry.
All it takes is a change of angle and perspective to differentiate the experience.
Try to go to sleep at about the same time, and do the same thing in the morning.
Don't work overtime, especially if you work from home. Doing it because you "don't have anything else to do" should not lead you to sacrifice the things that nourish your life.
Working is tiring, and while it can be satisfying at times, the cost is likely to be too high if there is nothing else to alternate it with.
If you work in an office, appreciate the change of environment that allows you to rest, and go back to observing.

Accept
Things don't always go our way.
Maybe more unpleasant things will happen.
Maybe we won't be able to resume some activities we love for much longer.
Maybe there will be a new lockdown, or a new variant.
Maybe you had big plans that you unfortunately had to postpone.
Accept.
This is a situation that we do not have the power to change.
We cannot change the unfolding of events.
We can change only the impact these events have on our lives, and the meaning we give them.

Breathe
If you feel overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, discouragement and the feeling that you can no longer handle this situation, stop for a moment.
Sit down, in a composed but comfortable manner, and close your eyes.
Take a deep breath.
Inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth.
Each time you inhale, hold your breath for a few seconds.
Then release all of your breath.
Try to focus only on the breath, on the air that comes in through your nose,
stays in your lungs, and then is released.
With each breath, try to hold your breath a little longer.
Relax the muscles of your body.
Empty your mind of thoughts.
It's just you and your breath. If you can't do this right away, don't worry.
Be kind and patient with yourself, let your mind find the ability to leave an empty space, and stay there as long as you want to.