The pandemic process has caused many changes in our lives; Moreover, these changes occurred suddenly and against our will. This process, with its multi-dimensional and long-term effects, has become a challenging situation for everyone from time to time. In addition to threatening our health, the rapid contagiousness of the virus has also raised concerns about the possibility of infecting our loved ones. Our way of life has changed significantly; It reveals behavioral, cognitive and emotional effects. While discussing this period we are going through; We must address the skills that enable us to cope not only with the coronavirus but also with the challenges encountered in life. The equipment we have with these skills will increase our psychological resilience and facilitate adaptation.
Before we start the fight against a problem or danger, we must know what we are going to fight. What kind of problem are you facing?
-Yes, although the name of the danger for all people is coronavirus, its meaning and effects are different.
First the right diagnosis, then the right treatment. We can find what we need when we are having difficulty if we are aware of what we are experiencing and how we are affected. This need may be related to communication skills, self-knowledge, setting boundaries, being able to say no, and emotional management, as well as situations such as past experiences triggered by anxiety and being stuck in the same thoughts, etc.
With many difficulties in life, as it is now. , when a problem is encountered; A person's coping methods and ability to adapt work. It is our internal and external resources that make it easier to cope and adapt. We can think of these resources as the legs of a table; They are good things that keep us standing and make us stand stronger. Internal resources; The characteristics we have form our skills (such as initiative, patience, emotional management, communication skills). External resources are; These are external supports such as hobbies, sports, and friends. Sometimes the resources you have can be put in the background, and when you think about it, it can be difficult to find them as if they do not exist. It is possible to protect and develop these resources.
Learning new coping strategies, expanding social networks, professional Resources such as receiving psychological support can be increased. Struggling to cope means changing your perspective on some situations; Seeing that the situation has not changed should not cause despair.
Accepting and being able to let go is an important skill; Being stuck with your hands and struggling with negative emotions in the face of the problem does not mean not caring. It means focusing on what you can do with your ability to cope with the current situation and accepting its existence if the situation is still the same after doing what is necessary. After such an acceptance, you may experience that you are not as disturbed as before. This changes your perspective on the situation/event and the change itself begins at that moment.
A Small Application to Develop Resources
1- Focus on a situation/problem that you have encountered before that challenged you.
2- What enabled you to cope better with this problem?
3-Which of your characteristics or skills helped you? (Like being patient, communication skills, etc.)
4-What/who increased your power to fight this problem? (Friends, psychologist support, books, etc.)
5-What kind of internal and external resources do you need to cope more effectively with the situation you are struggling with today?
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