The impact and uncertainty of coronavirus leaving many people feeling anxious, uncertain and stressed, coaching techniques are an option for finding a more positive way forward.
Ruth Kudzi, an author, coach and mentor, has seen a dramatic increase in clients talking to her about the impact the pandemic is having on their businesses, home lives, children, relationships and emotions.
Anger, disappointment, fear and frustration are all being felt, and that’s absolutely natural, but Ruth believes coaching skills can help people step away from ‘fight or flight’ responses and instead find calm once again.
Look at what you can control
Predicating the spread of the virus, setting a date for schools to open and controlling how other people act and feel is impossible, so look at what you can control and things could get clearer. Make a list of what you can control in this situation and put your energy into these – for example, continue to do your job and speak with your colleagues, rather than spending hours worrying about whether you are going to be made redundant,
Do something for you
Spend at least ten minutes a day doing something that is just for you. This could be keeping a journal, dancing in the kitchen, having a bath, walking around the block or reading a book. Many of us are at home pretty much 24/7 and this can be intense, so looking after you for just a little bit each day can help you feel better.
What are you feeding your brain?
If you are living on a diet of social media, clickbait news and junk food, you aren’t going to feel mentally or physically fit. There is a lot of noise out there at the moment and you need to nourish your body and mind, so just think about what you are consuming when it comes to food and drink as well as news and views.
Identify your fears
If we are aware of what we’re afraid of, we can bring ourselves back from catastrophising over the ‘what ifs’. Look at what you actually know, how likely it is you’ll get sick or lose your home, and then reassure yourself in a calm, rational way that you will be OK.
Find a focus
When we aren’t focussed, our minds can find the worst-case scenarios to obsess and fret over. Find something positive you can focus on and spend time doing that. It could be your work, maybe it’s teaching your children or being outside and clearing the garden, whatever it is, make a decision and stick by it. As you start to see progress, you will want to do this more and think less about the negatives out there.
Ruth says, “While we cannot control the spread of the virus or how other people behave, if we take control of our lives, we generally tend to feel better. The coaching ideas I’ve mentioned can help you to practise self-care and will give you the time and space to reflect and refocus so you can find a way ahead. Just ten minutes a day can help ease the noise and lower the volume so you can find a new normal that works for you.”
For more information about Ruth and her work, go to www.ruthkudzi.com