Whether contending with pressures at work, managing the stress of family life, or worrying about COVID-19, there are as many reasons to abandon your cool as there are people. While remaining calm may be a goal, it is not always a reality. There will be times when “Keep Calm and Carry On” just isn’t available. It feels important to say this and offer some compassion amidst the challenges of modern life. There is a time and place to lose it. But then what? Once you’ve felt your anxiety and fear, how long do you remain there? How do you transition from the messages found in these states to a sense of calm, where you might be able to act? I ask these questions with the intention of giving answers, but also in the spirit of recognizing your anxieties and fears have a place. They may let you know what matters but may not be where you’d like to linger.
One way I understand “mental health” is through the ability to transition from one state to another. Not only is it unrealistic to expect positive emotions all the time, it also denies what negative emotions can give us (a sense of urgency, as just one example). By participating with yourself and moving from one state to another, you adapt to the world around you. This is an essential capability given the world does not stand still and nor do we.
In the spirit of supporting clients as they learn how to transition from one state to another, I have outlined a simple practice that welcomes calm during life’s storm. I am sharing it here given the recent turmoil around COVID-19. I’ve also compiled a list of resources for making state transitions. You can find both the practice and the resources by going here, to Keeping Calm During Life’s Storm. I hope you find these offerings helpful, and as always, I welcome your feedback. You’re also welcome to get in touch with me via email for more.
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