{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Coping with Corona Anxiety","description":"I\u2019m hearing from more and more people who are feeling anxious, stressed or struggling in some way during the Coronavirus situation.  It\u2019s completely understandable. People who are socially isolated or juggling all things or getting anxious about how long this pandemic is going on for or even getting anxious to go back out into places now that lockdown is easing. If you\u2019re managing people \u2013 it\u2019s well worth a listen too because it will give you the understanding about what\u2019s going on and make it easier to manage. The world is a complex and sometimes a confusing place and never more so than during a pandemic when the situations are ever changing, and even guidelines can be confusing. It\u2019s pretty tricky right now with the Coronavirus in our lives and seemingly everywhere we turn. Even I\u2019ve had rough days, and had to use all my tips, tricks and knowledge to ensure I\u2019m able to stay calm, sane and get me-time in a house that\u2019s permanently occupied.  Having two teenagers with additional needs and no break from them has been interesting. I\u2019ve not been anxious myself during this time, but I\u2019ve definitely got stressed.  However, I\u2019m talking about anxiety today because I\u2019m hearing so much about it right now.  Anxiety is a form of stress that a person can go through physically, mentally and emotionally and situations can genuinely feel are out of control so that they generate feelings of panic and anxiety. Yet, I also recognise that there are many people out there who are struggling because they\u2019re on their own. In my coaching this is all too apparent as I see more clients who are socially isolated or lacking confidence in being able to communicate or even getting anxious to go back out into places now that lockdown is easing.   So often we focus on the difficult and bad experiences in life, we\u2019re wired to notice the negatives.   The brain is hard-wired to scan the horizon for anything that might be a threat to us \u2013 it was always the key to our survival in days gone by. Nowadays the threats aren\u2019t of a big bear coming to eat us, but our brain is still hard at work analysing, making us aware of the negative, and looking to see how it can keep us safe. Unfortunately, as we get older, we become more fear-based. Being exposed to prolonged stress can both cause and worsen mental health problems, leading to other issues such as tiredness, irritability, poor concentration, poor punctuality, sleep problems and so forth. Identifying and tackling the sources of anxiety can prevent such issues spiralling. If anxiety becomes commonplace and regular response to daily events, and this is where it turns into a problem.  As a leader or manager you need to be empathic (rather than ignoring or being dismissive).  So, tell them you understand they must feel worried or anxious and that it\u2019s OK to have those feelings.    Things are so much easier in life generally when we have a plan, or can see an end in sight.  Right now, we don\u2019t really have a plan or an end to this. We are moving in strange and unfamiliar phases and now more than ever we need to learn to go with the flow. Often when I work with people who have long-standing anxiety, it shows up in a variety of ways \u2026\u2026 planning everything to the nth degree is a common one \u2013 so is insomnia. Just to explain \u2026  often people are trying to control their external environment, so they plan, plan, plan everything around them.      The other way anxiety can affect is us that it completely stops us in our tracks \u2013 and mean we struggle to get anything done \u2013 often talked about as procrastination and mental blocks.   With insominia \u2013 whether people realise it or not, it\u2019s their brain knocking on the inside saying ooh remember this, or that.  We need to look at this.  There are ways to reduce the brain needing to do this so that you can focus in the daytime and not night-time.   Three key ways you can help yourself with the corona anxiety are explained in more detail on the podcast but in essence:   1. Breathe Breathing is go-to advice from many coaches and wellness experts, I know. I\u2019m not unique in saying this! But it\u2019s ALWAYS my number one tip \u2026 because it\u2019s SO helpful. Breathing deeply, taking long breaths that feel like they go down to your belly rather than just in your chest.  This releases calming chemicals and send a message to your brain to slow down. It helps release physical tension and gets oxygen flowing round your system so you can think more clearly. Plant both feet firmly on the ground, put one hand on your stomach and breathe.   2. Rehearse When we visualise an event or situation happening whilst in the therapy room, the benefit is that when we do it for real our brains believe we have already done it.  So it is easier and more comfortable.  When you increase these new social outings and activities it becomes easier and easier.   3. Build confidence So with this process, I will be helping you to feel assured and at ease. You can gradually build your self-confidence on the solid foundations we have already laid down. Doing small but easy to manage activities and getting back out there is the only way to build confidence.  However it\u2019s so much easier to do when we calm down our internal system first, reduce those feelings of anxiety, and mentally visualise or rehearse these ways.   It is a bit different \u2013 going out with masks on, but you do get used to it.   If you\u2019re telling yourself you hate it and can\u2019t do, then your brain will believe this.  So do be careful of what you tell yourself too.   It will be tiring.  When you brain is on constant alert and scanning for perceived danger, as I mentioned, your brain is going to be working overtime.    So if you\u2019re at the stage of going out, going back into work, bringing staff back into your workplace  - be mindful of this and be empathic and understanding.  This is really the only way to create permanent change in levels and increase confidence whilst keeping anxiety down.   As a manager, leader or HR it can sometimes be confusing when people you work with are not performing as they used to or are struggling with something that seems unusual for them.  However, when I explain about the way our brains work and what happens with anxiety I can see people getting that understanding and often in 1:1 sessions my clients will be \u201coh, so I have this member of staff and they\u2019ve been doing this, so might they be anxious\u201d  Yep   Or they say \u201c oh my goodness, I was struggling to understand why Bob wouldn\u2019t do \u2018this\u2019 when I knew he was more than capable \u2026 this really helps me to understand\u201d   It might be then that there\u2019s a degree of flexibility can that be incorporated to bring down the anxiety whilst still bringing people back into work.   Or as an individual, it\u2019s about trying things out but not putting pressure on, set targets, yes, but not so much that the anxiety spikes up again.  Everything is going to be some much easier when you do things from a place of calm.   Please do make sure you hit \u2018subscribe\u2019 so that don\u2019t miss an episode.     If you haven\u2019t yet  left a review, please do go and find the little button to leave a review and let me know your thoughts, key take-aways and what you value from the podcast.   Join my corporate leadership and wellbeing newsletter HERE   If you want to be increasing your performance so that you\u2019re more resilient in these current times, so that you can focus easily, use tools and techniques to deal with all the current and unknown challenges then make sure that you either drop me an email to emma@emmalangton.com .   Or head over to my website at http:\/\/www.emmalangton.com and you can find the contact page and either send me a email from there or book an appointment straight into my diary \u2013 saving all that to-ing and fro-ing that you get when we try to get space in people\u2019s diary. ","author_name":"Lessons for Leaders","author_url":"http:\/\/www.emmalangton.com\/","html":"