For more than a year, news and social media have been filled with topics related to mental health brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Uncertainty, in particular, has affected all aspects of human life. News of workers unsure about the stability of their jobs, and the residential home construction industry facing delays because of shortages in staff and materials are just some examples.
Not only that, plans for travel, school, and other life-changing decisions have to be delayed because of the delta variant. As a result, people view the pandemic as an endless cycle and this increases their feelings of uncertainty.
The Problem with Uncertainty
If you feel the same way, you’ll know that uncertainty can leave anyone frustrated, confused, and upset. You don’t know what will happen and that makes it difficult to make any decisions. While all of this seem easy to manage emotionally, there are others that find uncertainty challenging and distressing. In the end, the distress can cause mental health issues such as obsessive-compulsive, mood, post-traumatic stress, eating, and anxiety disorders. If you already have any of these conditions, your situation can get
worse.
Fortunately, you can do something to improve your coping mechanism with the distress caused by uncertainty. Find out what they are below.
Keep in Touch
Most of the people’s cherished memories are the time they spend with their family and loved ones. Unfortunately, physical separation from them is a direct result of the pandemic. This increases uncertainty in any individual. So, how can you regain a sense of hope?
According to the Mental Health Foundation, it’s important to nurture personal relationships, especially now that the pandemic has prevented families to get together. It’s during times like these that people need each other the most.
The pandemic shouldn’t affect your relationship with your loved ones. Even though you can’t physically see each other, staying connected is important. Think of virtual calls and gatherings as both communication and a way to console each other. If you’re feeling lonely and isolated, your loved ones likely feel the same way.
If you’re seeing a counselor or therapist before the pandemic, make sure to get in touch. Maintain your regular communication. Your sessions are now an essential part of your overall health.
Be Updated But Avoid Information Overload
Being updated with what’s currently happening in and around your area, especially about the pandemic, can provide some sense of certainty. However, it’s important to choose your sources of media wisely. Otherwise, you will be constantly bombarded with unnecessary news.
Some good resources for coronavirus news include government websites such as the National Health Service, Office for National Statistics, and Coronavirus Data in the UK through Gov.UK. For general news, pick one or two only, such as Reuters and BBC.
While it can be helpful to stay informed, it’s not necessary to read news about the pandemic every day. Limit your media intake to avoid getting overwhelmed. Too much consumption of news can fuel anxiety. After picking your trusted sources, stick to them for news at a scheduled viewing time. For example, you can check the news at least once every two to three days.
Maintain Your Daily Routine
Keeping up with the basics, such as your daily routine and habits can also help provide some sense of certainty. With lockdowns imposed on and off, however, daily routines can be easily uprooted. To solve this challenge, make your routines flexible. Change it to something that can adapt to the current situation.
Planning your routines around a flexible time frame can help you control what’s happening around you. This can also minimize your feelings of uncertainty.
Get Professional Help
You can’t dismiss the fact that professional help can have a huge positive impact on your mental health. If you are feeling too distressed to function, you should get the help of a life coach consultant, therapist, or counselor. They are your first line of defense against developing serious uncertainty problems. They can also refer you to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist if necessary.
You can also reach out to both government and private organizations that provide help in relation to challenges posed by the pandemic. Always remember that there are people and organizations that can help you.
Don’t Worry
At the end of the day, uncertainty is still part of life. You can’t control every aspect of your life. It can change any second. As COVID-19 has shown the world, life can change in the blink of an eye.
Unfortunately, people cope with uncertainty mostly through worrying. If you do, you’ll only make your feelings of uncertainty worse. There are healthier ways to face uncertainty. Start by following the tips above.
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