One of the side-effects of the present lockdown state, is that we have more time to think. This could be a good thing – for those who have learnt the skill of being positive and making the best of any situation. But it could be devastating for the professional worriers – who default to worst-case scenarios, agonising about the physical and economic effects of COVID 19.
The only way to influence the world you live in, is to influence your own thought processes. Thoughts become perceptions, and perceptions form your reality – good or bad.
Let’s get back to a definition of worry: It is a mind game – an imagined fear of something in the future. The wise old Mark Twain said: “I’ve known of a great many worries but none of them ever happened.”
Worry originates in negative thought processes – and we can turn it around!
- The mind is made up of a web of thoughts. Step ONE is therefore to have a closer look at your own web and identify which thoughts lead where. Ask yourself: Which of my thoughts lead me towards my goal and which block me from it?
- To change gears to a positive frame of mind, shift your thoughts to gratitude. If, for instance, you have been focussing on what you will be losing or what you lack, try to list instead what you have – like good health, a roof over your head, a loving family.
- Fear in the face of imminent danger can save your life (when a fight or flight response is needed), but prolonged fear can put your emotional and physical health at great risk – resulting in lowering your immunity and stealing your sleep, your peace of mind and your joy.
- Face your fears and your worries: identify them, name them, write them down, with all their hidden arms and legs. Then stop for a moment and disconnect from your worry – be aware of your thoughts and see worry as a story you are telling yourself.
- STOP creating bad stories or scenarios in your head. See them for what they are – stories born out of negative and fearful thoughts, causing you to feel miserable. They are destructive, self-sabotaging, and useless.
- Standing up to fear starts with a decision to do so. Admit the emotion and give it a name. Remember, you are not a fearful person, but rather a person experiencing Fear. See it for what it is – an emotion emerging from the emotional part of your brain. Your rational cerebral cortex can and will provide the reality check and solution to the problem.
- Know that, although you cannot change your circumstances, you can choose how you react to this debilitating emotion.
An old philosopher was recently asked what he learned from all his wisdom practices. His answer was: I have learnt not to believe everything I think…
