Coping With Covid With Calm And Conviction

The Coronavirus Pandemic has created a “panic-demic” of epic proportions fueled by chaos, confusion, conflicting information, and politics interfering with scientifically-based health and safety policies and procedures.   Even generally very calm individuals with no prior history of anxiety or panic attacks are experiencing symptoms which are exacerbated by uncertainly and reality-based concerns.

Prolonged high anxiety with being in a red alert state over extended time can deplete the neurochemicals in our brains and bodies that help regulate mood and affect memory and functioning.  Along with the major changes in our lifestyles, work, income, and basic existence, this can readily lead into irritability, fatigue and depression.

Yet our best defense against falling ill or having more severe symptoms is to do all we can to keep our bodies and minds calm and healthy, so our natural immune boosters can be working more optimally.  They are put on hold when we are in fight or flight panic mode as all our energetic resources are channeled into our fleeing or fighting, and not into healing and repairing our cells and tissues, and keeping us well.

Anger, frustration and rage over what is going on feeds into the negative cycle and is exacerbated when we don’t have a constructive channel for our high charge of boiling over energy, and hearing and talking about it without solution focus compounds the problems for our bodies and minds.  Besides the virus, the angst and anxiety can also be contagious and infect those with whom we’re complaining endlessly.  Blaming others keeps us in the victim powerless position that fuels more anxiety and despair, so we need to take responsibility for our own well-being and work on what we can control or contribute toward.

So we need to stop to reflect, get centered (tap on the karate point), and take some slow deep diaphragmatic breaths. While keeping up with the changing guidelines, restrictions and developments, we can start looking at what we can do to maintain and improve our health and well-being, and how we can contribute to making a difference.

We can work on an attitude of gratitude for what we do have and can appreciate (I feel grateful for example to have running water and ample soap and sanitizing agents and availability of telehealth and medical care and shudder to think of the hazards for the homeless and impoverished in our country and in undeveloped countries around the world).

We can tap down our overwhelm, anger/frustration, panic/anxiety, worry, and fatigue/depression with Thought Field Therapy (TFT):

COPING WITH CORONA

For overwhelm:   tap on the side of the hand 10-15x

For anger, frustration:  tap 5-10c each on the tiny finger, outside edge of eye, liver, under collarbone

For panic, anxiety:  tap 5-10x each  on the eyebrow, under eye, under arm, under collarbone

For worry:  tap 5-10x each under collarbone, under eye, under collarbone

For fatigue, depression:  tap on the gamut spot 30-50x, under collarbone 5-10x

ALTERNATIVE TAPPING POINTS ALONG THE MERIDIANS TO AVOID TOUCHING THE FACE

Besides doing all the points mentally by focusing on the points in our minds, we could also tap other points along the same meridian.

Suggestions for alternative tapping points for those we commonly use on the face:

Eyebrow—Bladder Meridian———>> BL 10 at the base of the skull on the back of the head

With elbows out massage or tap the base of the head

Under eye—Stomach Meridian—–>> ST 11 at the base of the neck above the collarbone

Under nose-Governing Vessel——->> DU15 at the base of the skull on the back of the head

(same as bladder meridian)

Under lip—Central Vessel————->> RN 22 at the  collarbone notch

Outside edge of eye—Gall Bladder—->> GB12 at the base of the head by the ear

Repeat as often as needed to get calmer and to be able to shift perspectives and think more constructively about what could help.  We could do what we can to support our struggling overwhelmed first responders on the front lines fighting Coronavirus daily at great risk and sacrifice—doctors, physician assistants, nurses, medical staff, EMT, first responders and more.

Some creative people have been working on making masks, shields, gowns, and protective gear to help.  Others have been making or purchasing takeout meals from struggling to stay afloat restaurants,  to boost the nutrition and show gratitude and appreciation to our front line fighters of the Coronavirus who are putting their lives at risk daily, and making huge sacrifices from their personal and family lives.  Some are putting together care baskets for those in greater need.  Others are sharing inspiring songs, stories, cartoons and art to provide support or humor to help cope with the grim and harsh realities.  Many are reaching out to make amends, communicate with friends and family who have not been in contact for years, even decades.  While being physically more distant, many are more socially connected through social media and video meetings.

Much progress has been made by many in utilizing the new technology that was formerly too daunting or intimidating, and may not have been attempted unless the critical needs arose for alternative solutions.  Many more are learning to be creative and think outside the box with innovative solutions.

Despite the marked changes in our lives, regular routines to create a new normal can be stabilizing and helpful.  Establishing a new routine, taking regular breaks during the day, and making breaks for meals and fresh air/sunshine and exercise are vitally important.  Regular tapping breaks can be helpful and a fun relaxing way to go through some of the basic energy tapping algorithms is by following along with the tapping and choreography of the Aloha Tapping Song, composed by Chanel Sebala-Bumanglag.

https://www.tftcenter.com/tft-videos/

Keep healthy, calm and safe!

Caroline E. Sakai, PhD