How to deal with uncertainty

Our lives changed overnight. Suddenly, all plans, going out with friends, visits to parents, holidays are in question. We are faced with a continuing state of uncertainty about the future; in addition to others matters we are facing daily.

What's next? When are we going to get back to normal? What happens if I get sick or lose my job? How can I protect my family? Is the vaccine the answer? Who can I trust? Such questions and thoughts tend to take over our discussions more and more.

To the extent that we remain vigilant, negative thoughts are beneficial. But if we are not careful, they can fuel our destructive behavior to the detriment of our long-term goals. They can even trigger real emotional storms, leading to states of panic and anxiety that disturb our inner balance.

What do we do when fear of uncertainty deepens amid a global health crisis? We tend to perceive the emotions and situations around us on another level. We may feel a general state of sadness or lose control more easily, having reactions of anger or undue aggression.

That's why uncertainty management is important. The more balanced and self-confident we are, the less we will feel affected by the problems that may arise.

During this period, more than ever we need to give up plans and control. Let us live in the present and accept these fears as part of the new reality, without letting ourselves be adversely influenced by what we cannot do. Let us be lucid and rely on our natural ability to overcome hardships.

The paradox is that the more we cling to the hope that everything will be resolved soon, the more we feed an inner imbalance and a bubble. The truth is that not everything depends on us, and what is not within the scope of our forces cannot be attributed to us.

Instead, it is important to look to the future with confidence, even if we still do not see the light at the end of the tunnel and get used to reality before it becomes overwhelming. Where problems arise, there are always solutions.

Other ways we can drive resilience to uncertainty are:

• Let us focus more in this period on being, not having

• Let's stop from our daily routine and look around at what we've achieved so far

• Avoid thoughts that lurk in our minds in the knowledge that we do not have the power to control everything, but only to choose to respond in a healthy way to challenges of any kind

• Let us create a routine based on sport, quality food, things that generally maintain our high quality of life and give us a special meaning, without feeling pressured

• To be aware of what is happening, but to turn to credible sources and quality information, lacking in drama

Another good exercise is to remember other moments of our lives and how we managed to overcome them. Withdrawal, emotional isolation and denial unfortunately only make things worse.

However, it helps us to set clear limits on unhealthy behaviors that only bring us peace at the moment, but take us away from our long-term goals.

It also helps us to stay alert to our needs and those around us, to contribute to activities outside the pandemic spectrum, to interact with quality people even virtually.

Even if we cannot control the state of uncertainty and it will take a while for things to return to normal, it is only within us that we have the ability to overcome our condition and adapt to the new times in which we live.

Relying on ourselves more and our inner strength, we will feel these moments of uncertainty at a much lower level. Even if it is not perfect, life, though fragile, is beautiful as it is and must be lived accordingly.