“Control” – the key to mental Strength in pandemic times

The stark reality of the world today is a constant fight between two living organisms on this planet, at war to establish supremacy
It’s time to understand that we live in an era where we are under complete control of the virus even though we hope the exact opposite. The stark reality of the world today is a constant fight between two living organisms on this planet, at wat to establish supremacy. Humans by vaccinations and other medical measures and virus by mutations aspiring to achieve the unimaginable.

Every day in this half locked downed and paralysed world we all are trying to find a purpose and a goal which will keep us driven
Is there anything we can do to make ourselves happier? I would answer to this as a Yes and no. Surprised? Well let’s talk about this. Every day in this half locked downed and paralysed world we all are trying to find a purpose and a goal which will keep us driven. For many the pandemic is just and extended version of their anyways paused lives while for the most it’s a frustrating situation which is creating road blocks ion achieving their dreams and ambitions. We all stay glued to things which keep us engaged like the screen even right now in front of you. How did you end up on this screen at this time on this blog is a matter of discussion which will interest you into cognitive science in my future blogs. The simple way to beat the pandemic blues is to understand a simple word “Control”.

We all even when doing nothing are actually doing a lot. The brain runs on parallel roads when not directed on a specific path.
Let’s all face this there are things in life we can control and others we cannot control. Human mind is programmed to stay active and engaged. We all even when doing nothing are actually doing a lot. The brain runs on parallel roads when not directed on a specific path. We focus on things and situations we cannot control and let go away those which we can control. This is one of the reasons that the so called mental strength has been going low. We get angry, exhausted and fatigued in trying to figure out ways to do things which are not under our control. It’s like running on a treadmill for cardio, even after running on it for 10 miles you are exactly at the same location with more fatigue and less energy. Focusing on the things which are not under our control and figuring out ways to control those increases mental fatigue and reduces mental strength or energy to sustain and survive.

They frustrate me, make me angry towards the society, government and authorities but still I cannot control them is a bare fact
What is not under our control? Will the virus infect me, will I get good medical care, will I get antibodies post vaccinations, will my relative or friend survive the current medical crisis they are in, will we ever be able to come out of COVID 19? Yes I do want answers to these questions but they are not under my control. They frustrate me, make me angry towards the society, government and authorities but still I cannot control them is a bare fact. Depression, anxiety, stress, COVID Panic or fear and so many more mental issues like insomnia, amotivation and anger are outcomes of our focus on things which we cannot control.

Rumours are like tumours
Let me tell you a simple hack which you can do in your rooms to solve this. So today take a piece of paper and make two columns. On the left write about all the problems of current pandemic which are not under your control as we discussed. On the right write about all those things which are actually under our control like what would be my micro schedule, whom to talk with, what topics to talk on, how much information should be consumed so as to be aware but not afraid, registering on portals for vaccination, following health precautions to avoid infection and last nut most important not to spread rumours. Rumours are like tumours. Just like we remove the tumour from a body to save it from any illness it’s time we remove rumours from society to save it from the plague of misinformation which creates fear panic and anxiety. This pandemic has laid bare the intricate mental health problems we all were suffering from.

Brain needs constant reminders of the path it has to walk on

So this paper in which you made these columns fold it to half tear away the left portion of the paper on which you wrote the things which are not under your control. Throw that away and the remaining paper goes onto the wall of your room which you can see every morning. First thing you do when you get up is revise the list of things which are under your control. Brain needs constant reminders of the path it has to walk on. The social media, news channels was indirectly guiding you on the path not under your control so this paper on the wall will consciously and deliberately guide you towards a purpose….mental strength, happiness away from all fear and anxiety and mental illnesses. Yes it’s a step towards what I call as mental immunity. Stay connected for our journey towards a happier today and tomorrow.