Most human beings are typically more comfortable with and prefer certainty. It allows us to feel safe. Covid-19, or the Corona virus, has us all living in a state of uncertainty. Humans are hard wired to react to stressful situations in a myriad of ways. Inevitably, some level of discord and imbalance in both the mind and body ensues. We like status quo and when it’s challenged, we often react rather than respond. When faced with stressful situations we generally have three main reactions: fight, flight or freeze. Each reaction affects us in different ways but they all have one commonality: not only are there physiological effects of stress there are changes to our brain chemistry. When we are stressed, we all know levels of cortisol spike among other physical changes. Sometimes it manifests in the body in various forms but it always affects our psyche in both the short or long run.

Obviously, the physiological aspects of this pandemic are serious and not to be dismissed. This virus is causing distress, unrest and a great level of dis-ease among humanity. However, we need to also give our minds some TLC.

The CDC, media, and other sources are telling us we need to distance ourselves from our normal day-to-day situations that may harbor the virus. Social media is exploding. We have traded hugs and handshakes for elbow bumps and sanitizer. We glare at people who cough. We are taking precautions in putting a moratorium on social gatherings, washing our hands consistently and closing down schools, major attractions and events.

Although this pandemic is beyond being unpleasant and truly unsettling in of itself, there is an elephant in the room besides a devastating virus. Not enough is being said about the psychological effects. We are all nervous, some terrified, quite understandably. Some are having their PTSD triggered while others are falling into depression, dissociation or general angst. Others may be experiencing different ways of thinking or behavior. We are all being psychologically stressed out. Swinging on the pendulum of extremes, some are succumbing to hysteria while others are almost in a state of denial or it’s-not-all-that-bad. There are those that are clamoring for supplies or hoarding bottled water, pasta, a plethora of toilet paper and fighting over the last bottle of hand sanitizer. It gives us some assemblance of order to be able to do something.

It’s understandable that we are scared. What we have to also look at is that in a state of panic, fear creates havoc in our minds during this kind of freakout. We are stressed and it is obviously adversely affecting us in the short run. We have no idea what the long term effects will be.

As humans inherently feel a need to do something; some more and some less than others, and this situation is broader than we have fully fathomed. Some feel helpless. Feeling helpless can often lead to hopelessness, hysteria and can wreck general discord. Though not a psychologist, I can guarantee there are going to be serious repercussions to our psyches, bodies and our society as a whole.

This pandemic can make or break us. It is testing our capacity to understand and accept our vulnerability and our own mortality as humans. It is a chance to revaluate what’s really important and truly valuable to us. That it is our time here on earth with friends, family and loved ones that really matter over the crap we collectively call our possessions. It is also an opportunity to show more compassion and understanding for our fellow man and womankind. It can even be a time to take a moment from the bombardment of bad news and find something light and beautiful, or dare I say it humorous, elsewhere in our lives. It is a time for patience and faith that we will all get through this dilemma.

Personally, although playing it smart in several ways, I refuse to be caught up in the pandemonium and live in fear. I will continue to keep up on the news without letting it consume my day. I will smile and wish you well when we cross paths. I will wash my hands to Happy Birthday, use hand sanitizer and reluctantly not offer hugs. I will weigh out whether or not to join small gatherings carefully. I will keep up on my vitamins, electrolytes, eat right, exercise, take walks in the woods and rest properly. I will do my best to still be smart, safe and hopefully continue to be healthy. I hope the same for all of us. I will keep calm and carry on. Meanwhile, does anyone want to see my TP fort?