Calming Fear in Our Covid Brain

We are all stirred up!

We live in intensely activating times. From fires on the west coast to political unrest, from the global pandemic of Covid-19 to the US election — we are all stirred up! We have several natural responses to a higher level of threat or danger. We try to control the situation (perfectionism), we get drunk or stoned (alcohol sales up 30%), we shop, we sleep or can’t sleep as we are triggered into fight/flight/freeze/fawn. Catastrophic thinking is part of our response to threat and it can really take over our mind and our life.

What is happening right now in the space your body is occupying? There are sense perceptions, of the air or clothes on your skin, sounds, wetness in your mouth and the movement of your body with your breath. Are you holding your breath or is it smooth and continuous? Notice the energy, sensations and feelings too. Do you have a heavy pressure in your chest or an anxious feeling in your gut? Do you feel antsy and ready to spring into action or are you fairly relaxed right now?

Catastrophic thinking is fear based and relates to the future. When you find yourself caught entertaining worst-case scenarios, here is what you can do.

Step one: Awareness
Through mindfulness, we are aware sooner what is happening in our thoughts and body. We notice the inner critic…