The Silver Lining
View(s):As we get daily updates of death counts and new cases, it is easy to let the negativity of the world overcome us and drag us down. Our friends and family complain about the hardships of staying in isolation, and news updates us of the lack of food and the hardships people are going through.
Now might therefore seem like an unusual time to talk about being positive. Yet staying positive is a core ingredient in the recipe of successful coping in a crisis.
Now, more than ever, is the time for us to be proactive about creating small moments of happiness in our days, given the findings in psychology research that positive emotions help us to undo the negative effects of stress.
Find joy in the small moments
Even during the curfew there will be so may small moment to enjoy. Waking up yesterday, I was greeted to the sight of a usually dormant creeper in the garden overflowing with bright yellow flowers. The cats were uncharacteristically enjoying the flowers and appeared to be stopping to smell them, and they chased each other through the vines!
The hot bread brought by the ‘choon paan’ man, the time to sit and partake of your melas with your family are other small moments that we can enjoy. Stop to take in these moments, rather than allowing them rush by on automatic pilot, you are giving your brain a chance to process the pleasure, which boosts your serotonin – the feel-good neurotransmitter that helps elevate your mood and make you feel calm.
Find happiness in family
For those of us in family lockdown, now is the opportunity to spend quality time with our loved ones. Take the time to hug your kids or partner, look them in the eyes, have long conversations with them – all of these gestures promote closeness and also boost your oxytocin, which is a hormone that bonds people and also has a calming effect on your body. When your oxytocin levels spike, they tell your body to switch off cortisol, the stress hormone.
Look for the good in others
These types of crises can bring out both the worst and the best in human nature.
The neighbourhood whatsapp group has never been so active. A few days ago, loud hammering on the front door together with a frantic “chicken! chicken” informed the lane that the chicken truck was at the top of the lane. The good Samaritan who informed us was one of the neighbours as well. Helping each other by sourcing food, joint efforts in plucking jack fruit from the garden have become the norm. It is hard to believe that these are people who barely had the time to greet each other by saying ‘good morning’ two months ago!
Philanthropists are donating money to scientists to find a cure. Doctors and medical staff are working overtime to help sick patients. People are posting positive messages on social media. Friends from across the globe reaching out to each other. When we tune into these positive and pro-social aspects of the crisis, we are united in hope.
Actively turn your thoughts towards such silver linings. You will then see that the change of perspective will eventually hard wire your brain, and make the lock down a happier and more peaceful one!