Fear

From viruses spreading to social distancing and travel bans,

there is a lot going on in the world right now. Fear is setting in hard and fast and it's not unjustified to say that people are down right freaking out. It's understandable.

Every day, every hour we hear a new update on how COVID-19 is impacting the world.

It's inevitable that it's on the forefront of everyone's mind. We have our families to think about, our jobs, our lives; all rightful areas where we are evolutionarily trained to freak out.  But freak out we must not.  I know...easier said than done...especially as we watch grocery stores get stripped bare of food (should we buy some extra lysol or cans of beans...just in case...?).

Our brains digest external fear and produce a physiological response that is suppose to protect us and allow us to survival.  But more often than not, instead of logical actions comes reactionary responses; such reactions are often not well thought out and don't have long term benefits (for instance, it doesn't matter how much food you buy...you will run out of supply at some point).

So what to do instead?  Keep calm.  Do your part - wash your hands, isolate yourself if you're under the weather...WHO (World Health Organization) has ALL the best advise.  Try not to get in the way of our front line health care providers, scientists, and those critical in helping everyone get through this (and yes, purchasing every mask, sanitizer and food item in sight is harming those who are suppose to help us).

Take what you sense as fear and help your mind digest it to produce a drive to educate yourself and find facts.  Not just in response to COVID-19 but at any time you feel the impulse to react out of fear.  Take a minute, gather your thoughts and remember that you are in control.

Your brain thinks whatever you tell it to think...if you convince your mind that you will run out of food because of a virus that's impacting our economy, then you will run out and do what everyone else is doing.  If you tell your brain that you have enough supplies to get you through a 2 week isolation, and you have a host of resources (online and offline) to prevent you from starving and dying, then you will be able to focus on what is really important; staying strong so you can stay healthy, be there for your family and friends, and for those that can continue to do so, dedicate your talents to your jobs so that our economy doesn't come to a halt like everyone fears.

I don't know about you but all this hand washing is making my skin super dry...moisturize my friends, moisturize! Quick...is there any left on the shelves....?? Just kidding just kidding.