Advice from Psychologist Kendra Gilbert in light of the current world Pandemic

13 March 2020

Are you worrying more than usual? We are living in very uncertain times, why is this so anxiety provoking?  An increase in worry is due to an intolerance of uncertainty, more specifically uncertainty about a future we cannot control or predict. To a certain extent we all struggle with this, it is part of being human.

• Be realistic about what you can control (often not much)
• Don’t dwell on future problems, they are unlikely to happen!
• Avoid seeking perfection, you will never get there!
• Challenge uncertainty intolerance-let go and accept uncertainty
• Keep positive thoughts active
• Take stock of the unknown and embrace it, doing so brings greater joy, increased opportunities and creativity. Be curious, courageous, kind to yourself and others. Most importantly focus on what matters, and meaningful (usually in the present)

Stay well and be happy

‘Some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity (Gilda Radner)’