During a time when so many things are unknown, it is easy to get wrapped up in a panic. Here are five panic statements that can be reworded into positive statements.
- “I’m Stuck at Home”
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As someone who is always busy and never in one spot for too long, being stuck at home is not easy for me but I am learning. I’m not extroverted by any means, but I like to go out and experience what the day has to offer before I return back to my home. So, instead of getting down in the dumps about being stuck at home, I tell myself that I’m grateful to be in a safe place. I am able to spend some time with my cat, play video games, read books, and watch Netflix. There are far worse things that could be happening, but I’m safe at home with my cat and an internet connection. So, I’ve been having a good time.
- “I Will Get Sick”
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In the middle of a pandemic where the fear of Coronavirus is everywhere, it is easy to get wrapped up in the paranoia of catching the virus. But what can you do about it? You can stay home, self-isolate, wash your hands, not touch your face, and wash your counters, but you can’t run from it.
- “I Will Run Out of Items at Home During Self-Isolation”
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I think we all saw what happened to the stores when it was announced that we need to self-isolate. Stores had to put limits on purchasing and let senior citizens go into the store first so they can get things they need. This was out of panic (which is an entitled emotion under the stress of a pandemic) But instead of thinking you will run out of items, tell yourself that you have what you need for now. You are prepared for this and you will use what you have wisely.
- “Everything is Shutting Down, I’m Panicking”
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As someone who has to take specific vitamins and medications, I started to panic and worry that they wouldn’t be ready or that I couldn’t even get them. I sat myself down and took a few deep breaths and remembered that the most important places such as medical centers, pharmacies and grocery stores will remain open so I will not go without and I will be ok. I opened my eyes and the panic subsided.
- “There is So Much Uncertainty Right Now”
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This statement is true, there is still a lot that we don’t know. But let’s rework this statement a little bit: While I can’t control the situation around me, I can control my actions by: monitoring my breathing, calling loved ones, sleeping, having proper nutrition, praying, and other home activities. In my experience, a bubble bath and meditation help calm these nerves around how much uncertainty there is, but we need to trust and believe we will be ok and that we won’t be the same person we were when this pandemic started.
Sure, a pandemic is scary, and we don’t know how to deal with it right now, but we can do what we can as individuals. We can sanitize our hands and keep our homes clean. We can check in on loved ones and make sure everyone knows they are appreciated and cared for. We can be grateful for a chance to spend time with our loved ones whether they be humans or pets. At the end of the day, we can only control ourselves, not the pandemic.