Open Sesame? Caution: Our Impatience Could Kill Us!

The coronavirus pandemic is crazy-making. But we can't afford to make crazy decisions. Here's how wellness practices can help.

Eyes wide shut. When faced with upsetting or painful circumstances, we put blinders on. It's especially easy, even temporarily comforting, to deny reality. But it's not a viable solution. In fact, with respect to the coronavirus, such denial is downright dangerous. Our world has been turned upside down and, understandably, we are confused by conflicting politician-expert-media rhetoric.

Self-directed self-care. We can't control our leaders, but we can choose to act differently — responsibly, in our own best interests, in the best interests of our families, and in the best interests of our communities. Clearly, this is not the first time that what is legally permitted is not what is best for us, healthiest for us, or right for us.

Unhealthy impatience. We have quarantine fatigue. And, sadly, our impatience could kill us. In a desperate move to revitalize local economies and appease anxiety-ridden citizens, some rush into reopening — irresponsible behaviors that fly in the face of experts' recommendations. While we can't change what is, we do have control over how we react to it.

Coping with uncertainty. If we recognize ourselves to have a low tolerance for uncertainty and disruption, we can create more structure in our lives, establish routines, find order even in the chaos, and reach out to family and friends for comfort and support. By taking this pandemic moment by moment, we can avoid feeling constantly anxious about an unpredictable future. We can choose to exercise to reduce stress, to build our immune systems by eating well, and to be resilient. Through positive self-talk, we can remind ourselves that this too shall pass.

Breathing meditation. For more than 5,000 years, yogis, mystics, and spiritual seekers have known the power of breath. Find a quiet place and quiet your mind. As you breathe in through your nose, observe your breath as your stomach expands; then follow your breath as it flows out through your mouth. Practice for 10–15 minutes each day. If you become distracted, simply return your attention to your breath. Be patient with yourself.

Faith. During these incredibly stressful times, we must call upon our best selves to be compassionate, patient, and kind, and to think clearly — choosing to save human lives over pursuing short-term economic gains. We are called upon to trust the rhythm of life, to be hopeful that life will be better again, albeit never the same. It requires us to take a leap of faith. So, let's leap, together.