In the I of the storm

Hurricanes: a large wind storm of destruction. Before you switch off, bare with me...These storms need certain conditions to form; warm air,warmer water and the spin of the earth (The Coriolis effect) are the perfect conditions. It’s starts off in the tropics 156 mph winds sets its sight on a much bigger target: the land! But in the centre of it all is...calm.

Tranquility.

Clear skies, birds chirping and the sun beaming down on what’s below. It’s mad how torrential rain, lives being lost and sheer destruction can be centred around something so peaceful. However, if you’re reading this you can DEFINITELY relate. The C word is known globally. You don’t search for it yet you know everything about it. You can’t seem to escape it. It’s always there. Like the Kardashians. But anywho. The death toll is climbing daily and there’s little signs of improvement. People can’t see their dying families and each day the government is proving that we’re lions being led by donkeys.

The government can sell you dreams that they’re going to up the testing,provide more PPE or they can spew rubbish about easing the lockdown but the reality is apparent: these are unprecedented times. I know you’ve probably heard that saying one too many times and if you got a pound every time you heard it you could buy the cure. But it’s true.

Nowadays you can’t control the news so the news controls you.

It can get a bit too much. Stock piling for a years toilet paper yet maintaining a two metre distance to come home only to wash your hands to the length of the tune happy birthday. Twice. It is imperative to protect your peace especially in the times.

There’s an idea in psychology, an external and internal locus of control. The former is when you believe outside influences control your life and you have no say over it but the latter is when you yourself believe that you can control your life. While there is no right way, the former can be detrimental to your mental health. You may not be able to control the news or the spreading of the virus, but you have the capacity to control you. You can control your news intake and control how you react to it. But this doesn’t just apply to this situation.

Cast your mind back to pre-corona life. When we were oblivious to what quarantine meant and Corona was only a drink.

How did you view things? Did you believe everything was out of your control or in your hands? Because while we can’t control our situation we can control our reaction to it.

Switch off the news if it gets too much. Go for a run (but only once a day). Bake a cake. And if you need it, ask for help. I encourage you to have an internal locus of control.

So while everything may be going 100mph around you (or 156mph to be precise) remain calm and be the I in your storm.

If you need support here is the Samaritans helpline number. If you call if it doesn’t come up in your phone bills. 116 123

Here is a petition (to help the NHS workers have free parking) : http://chng.it/95QHyb9QgL