There is a lot of fear mongering going on at the moment. Crisis Clickbait.
From Trump, to bushfires, to Iran, and now the coronavirus… the media is taking us down a slippery slope of fear all preying on our natural desire to protect ourselves. Because that’s the crux of it. As humans we are programmed to pay more attention to danger – no matter how remote that danger might actually be. And the media capitalise on that biological wiring by selling us fear. Jump onto any outlet right now and it’s 24/7 crisis reporting. Not so long ago it was terrorism, then the climate, now it’s Covid-9 and soon it will be something else. Because that’s what sells.
So what can you do about this?
Well first up, get clear on what sits in your spheres of control and influence. Take the corona virus. What do you have control over? Washing your hands. Keeping yourself healthy. Choosing where you get your information from. And what can you influence? Your children washing their hands. Your conversations with friends. Beyond that very little.
Your anxiety will not eradicate the world of viruses. You can not worry your self to a positive outcome. So rather than wasting your time and energy on things outside your sphere of influence, focus on what you do have control over.
Simply ask yourself “is this something I have influence over?”
If the answer is yes, then what is a positive action you can take? If no, then remind yourself it is just your fear talking and to let it go. It may feel like you are doing something by thinking about it, but you aren’t. You are just fuelling your stress.
Remember – if it doesn’t lead to positive action then it’s unproductive.
