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| EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 3 | Page : 153-155 |
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COVID 19 Pandemic: Managing One: Preventing Another
Mohit D Gupta
Deptartment of Cardiology, GB Pant Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
| Date of Submission | 09-Jul-2020 |
| Date of Decision | 14-Jul-2020 |
| Date of Acceptance | 18-Jul-2020 |
| Date of Web Publication | 16-Dec-2020 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Mohit D Gupta
Professor of Cardiology, Academic Block, Department of Cardiology, GB Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi-110002
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/mamcjms.mamcjms_73_20
How to cite this article:
Gupta MD. COVID 19 Pandemic: Managing One: Preventing Another. MAMC J Med Sci 2020;6:153-5 |
The first case of corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) can possibly be traced back to November 2019 in Hubei Province of China. It took only 3 months for this tiny single stranded RNA virus to bring the world, its healthcare system, technology to its feet leaving majority of us living with predominantly four feelings: fear, worry, panic and uncertainty. While it has forced most of us to restrict ourselves to home, it has given a hard blow to our mind and left us with many questions.
As we reflect on our lives, it is clear that it has speeded up undesirably and often our work has become our sole priority. In the recent Burnout study, one third of the cardiologists reported burn out and almost half felt stressed.[1] Feeling of emotional exhaustion, lack of accomplishment and work frustrations as reported are taking a significant toll on our emotional and mental well-being. While the force of this pandemic locked us down into the solace of our homes and an eerie silence of our cities, we get more time to introspect whether all the “running on the treadmill of profession”, was really worth it. We missed on simple pleasures of life like spending time with our families and often having meals together.
The Harvard second generation study[2] revealed that healthy relationships is what protects us from displeasure and discontent, and can delay our biologic aging and most powerfully predicts our long and happy life irrespective of our social status. In these times of crisis, our material wealth is not of much use, but what now seems to matter most is how much time we give to each other to celebrate our joys and how many people are there to share our sorrows.
Together we will surely tide over this crisis, but its multi-dimensional impact on our social and mental wellbeing is another pandemic in making. While the current data states that anxiety, depression, disharmony in relations are already peaking, it is imperative that we need to take adequate measures to prevent it.
While scientists and doctors are busy finding medical solutions to fight this pandemic, here are some thoughts for all of us to overcome its possible emotional impact that many of us might be going through. This pandemic is nature’s way of responding to the way we have abused it for our short lasting benefits and creating a life driven by our never ending aspirations, needs and desires.
Few affirmations if practiced daily will help us maintain our inner calm and stability [Figure 1].- Emotional distancing from negativity: Low energy vibrations of fear and panic are continuously absorbed by us through, digital, print and social media. Fear activates our brain in such a way that our rationale thinking and decision power is paralyzed and the fear drives our lives. Practicing digital detoxification is a simple way to remain away from negative feelings. The 60-40-60 principle is a simple way to connect better with ourselves. First and last 60 minutes of the day should be e-free and should be used to read or listen something that empowers our mind: positive thoughts, re-affirmations, a good spiritual article or some nice music. At least 40 minutes in evening when we are with our family, we should avoid using any digital device. Its mere presence decreases the quality of conversations.
- Embrace humility: With this pandemic, the ego of human beings has come crashing down. We have all created our own comfort zones guarded by our ego. Ego is an identity of our own construction, an identity that is most often false. No matter how great we are and what others feel about us, a small unknown, invisible, seemingly powerless creature can destroy us and the empire we created in a matter of few months. Let us remove this un-needed mask and embrace humility. It is unwise to be too sure of one’s wisdom. Humility increases our inner resilience and enables us to be stable and proactive in these turbulent times.
- Practice gratitude: This is the most powerful affirmation that can create a positive and powerful life. Being thankful to God, to the nature, to everyone around will bring sense of satisfaction and joy in us.
- Radiate love and give care to all: While our life has speeded up undesirably and work has become our priority, it has led to the common burn out syndrome that was seen in a significant number of people across the globe. It took a toll on our emotional and mental well-being and our relations. As we were all force locked into our homes, we got more time to spend with our families. It makes us realize that things we bought are only to be used and human beings are to be loved. In these times of crisis, our materialistic wealth isn’t of much use to us, but what matters most is how much we love and care for each other. Regardless of our culture, religion, occupation, financial situation, the virus treats us all equally and tells us to do the same in our journey. It reminds us to break the physical and mental barriers that we have created and that there is only one religion. The one that loves and cares for every being.
- Design your thoughts every day: Every thought that we create has a powerful impact on my personality. Positive thoughts generate positive vibrations, positive choices, positive behaviour and a positive life. The pandemic reminds us of the shortness of life. Today, we live as if we are never going to die and make plans for years when we are not even sure of what is there in store for us tomorrow. Only if we could go back and steal some moments for ourselves to just be and give a hand that helps and supports everyone we meet. After all, the power of freewill is in our hands.
- Energize your food and water: Food has powerful effect on our thoughts. It is necessary for us to charge our food with high energy vibrations of peace and love. Satvik food brings comfort to our body and soul.
- Practice Meditation and create a positive Aura: As COVID-19 brings the whole world to a standstill, it also reminds us to experience stillness and stability inside. Stability is the mother of change. When we are stable, we can pause and reflect on our lives and bring about change. Meditation is a powerful way to create pure and powerful protective aura around us. It enables us to charge every thought with power to heal and protect.
Simple powerful affirmation in meditation: I am a peaceful and pure soul…….peace and purity is my innate nature……….Powerful rays of peace are making my soul experience peace. I am a powerful and fearless soul……I am sitting under the shower of Gods power that is creating an aura of protection around me. No negative energy can pierce my protective aura. I radiate this peace, power and purity to every soul…..
 | Figure 1 Take home messages to maintain emotional stability in covid-19 pandemic
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Just as corona virus has a high infectivity rate, spreading quietly and rapidly, let us let go off panic and fear. Fear destroys our inner calm and decisive power. Instead, let us inculcate determination and faith in us and spread it rapidly with the belief that in this cycle of life, after every dark night, there is light. It is necessary for us to act now, if we are to stop another pandemic of emotional disturbances like anxiety, stress and depression strike our lives. Its effect will be far more devastating and long lasting than the existing one.
This is a time of reflection and understanding, where we learn from our mistakes and start a new cycle. We still do not know, where and when this deadly pandemic is going to end. However, there is one thing we all must ensure is to pause, step back and bring about some serious changes in our lifestyle. It is reminding us that this can either be an end or a new beginning. The choice is ours!
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1]
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