Reading Corner

Links related to the weekly posts.

 

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In this week’s blog, Phil explores the exceptional stresses of the time and how he deals with them. Here are some good articles on how to cope with changes.

Coping With Change “Change is inevitable. Sometimes it can be positive – business growth or a pay raise. At other times it can be painful – losing your job or a personal loss. Often the hardest changes to understand and adjust to are the ones that are unexpected and out of our control – a recession, a global pandemic, or a major disaster, for example. Changes of this magnitude can be difficult to come to terms with, but you’ll often find that your experience of them can be made better or worse depending on your reaction and your attitude. So, in this article, we’ll explore the different ways in which people tend to approach change, the reactions that you might have, and how to best cope with it.”

How to Be Hopeful, Even When It’s Really, Really Hard “In times like this (not that I can name another time like this), it feels impossible to maintain any sense of hopefulness or optimism about the future. Not only is it a challenge to imagine any future in a world where things are constantly changing, but it’s especially tough to think—let alone expect—a future in which things are actually somewhat positive. But, as uncomfortable as it may feel, pushing ourselves to imagine that better future may be a crucial way for us to maintain some semblance of mental well-being—now and whenever that beautiful future does arrive.”

Dealing with Uncertainty During the Coronavirus Pandemic “Uncertainty is all around us, never more so than today. The current COVID-19 pandemic has heightened uncertainty over the economy, employment, finances, relationships, and of course, physical and mental health. Yet as human beings, we crave security. We want to feel safe and have a sense of control over our lives and well-being. Fear and uncertainty can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and powerless over the direction of your life. It can drain you emotionally and trap you in a downward spiral of endless “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios about what tomorrow may bring.”

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We’ve been asking our readers how they have been coping with the pandemic, and this week, we published the third and final selection. We’ve checked online, too, and here are some more views on how people are managing.

Quarantine has changed us — and it’s not all bad “But the pandemic has changed us. Although being on lockdown has been pretty grueling on balance, the surprise is that many of us have realized there are some things about quarantine life that are worth preserving. We’re questioning the very fundamentals of the “normal” we’d all come to unthinkingly accept — and realizing we don’t want to go back, not to that.”

Coronavirus: The good that can come out of an upside-down world “Our world has changed immensely in the last few weeks but amid the upheaval and distress, there are reasons to believe we can emerge from the crisis with some human qualities enhanced, writes Matthew Syed.”

How to come out of the pandemic as your best self ever “It’s strange how something so disruptive, so novel, was so widely labelled with a cliché. As we’re constantly reminded, the pandemic is our “new normal.” That is, our old way of life has been replaced with another one – one that’s getting old fast…“Our routine was totally thrown on its head,” says Andrews. “I think everybody now is starting to feel like, ‘I can’t maintain this. What do I need to do to actually feel good?’” How often do we pause to think through that question?”

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Two weeks ago, we wrote about how to transcend today’s turmoil with inner peace. We ended the blog by asking “What is it that you do? What refreshes your spirit? What brings you peace?” and published our readers’ responses. Here are some more articles about the issue of turmoil, including from earlier times.

3 Easy Ways to Avoid Stress, when the World is in Turmoil “During times of global crisis, it is wise to reassess our individual positioning in life, so we don’t get needlessly swept away by fear and negativity. Since the world seems to be entering a new stage of upheaval, let’s talk about some ways to maintain a peaceful center, and stay grounded and happy.”

Coping with Fatigue, Fear, and Panic During a Crisis “Late last week, we gave a presentation to about 20 chief medical officers from health care systems around the country. I began by asking them to share a sentence or two about how they were feeling, personally. Over the next half hour, their answers spilled out in a torrent.
“Exhausted, overwhelmed, and anxious.”
“I’m feeling fearful and fatigued.”
“Frustrated and dismayed.”
“The current workload is not sustainable.”
We are dealing with two contagions — the virus itself and the emotions it generates.”

Maintain your center in this time of turmoil. A brain perspective of why it’s important and how to do it. “Our world is changing, and it will never be the same. How are you coping, and how would you like to cope? What are your dangers, and what are your opportunities in this time of change? What strengths would you like to grow, and how will you do that? We need to be proactive on all levels of our being ~ physical, emotional, mental and spiritual, and you need the right tools to thrive and change with the times. With the right tools you and your family will come out of this stronger than ever, but without the right tools you risk flailing and suffering more than you need too.”

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Last week we wrote about how to transcend today’s turmoil with inner peace. This week, other people shared what they do. Here are a few articles with some useful advice about this issue.

7 Ways to Cope With COVID-19 “The battle seems like it is outside of your home against some microscopic enemy, but the struggle actually starts inside your mind. Anxiety steals away our joy and peace by consuming our focus and kicking our imaginations into overdrive. We begin to create worst-case scenarios in our mind, which is like making a down payment on horrifying misfortunes that will never occur.”

How to Survive Emotional Turmoil: A Meditation for Calming Your Emotions “Today I’d like to focus on the stuff that goes on inside of you and put some focus on the fact that much of the stress you face today is perceived. Of course there are exceptions to this, and if you are in real danger, it goes without saying that you should seek help. Perceived stress is another way to describe inner turmoil.”

Dealing with Turmoil “When I start to hear the same stories from everyone I encounter, I take notice. This year so far has been one of intensity and turmoil. On a global and national level, we’re dealing with war, terrorism and a crucial presidential election. On a personal level, many of us are facing health issues (ourselves or loved ones), losses and financial or other challenges. (Even new opportunities and growth can be emotionally challenging.)”

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This week, we wrote about how to transcend today’s turmoil with inner peace, and we have found some very interesting articles that complement ours and have a range of approaches.

Living Peacefully in a Time of Turmoil “As a theologian and ethicist, my research focuses particu­larly on how people find meaning and purpose in their existence. These goals are severely challenged in times of turmoil, such as the current age marked by anxieties over war, terrorism, and the economy. How can we manage to find meaning in life—how can we find inner peace or practice peace toward others—when our world seems mired in insta­bility and despair? I believe there are three critical components to living peacefully in such times: narrative, transcendence, and hope.”

4 Keys to Inner Peace in the Age of Corona “There’s another way—a calmer way. Cultivating a more restful, relaxed state of mind doesn’t mean we’ll drown under all our responsibilities. Instead, research suggests it will bring us greater attention, energy, and creativity to tackle them. And science also points to simple ways we can tap into that calm state of mind to be more resilient in our chaotic lives.”

How To Feel a Steady Inner Sanctuary in a World of Turmoil “As we face the ebb and flow of each day and witness the inevitable suffering that is a consequence of our human greed and antagonism, we need to make sure not to lose sight of the eternal light—our true nature. Focusing on that light does not deny the presence of the clouds, the violence, the pain we all can feel. But we do not add to them with our own inner agitation and wanting”