The idea of a survival mode is typically a short-term fight, flight, or freeze response to an outside influence. Like a life-threatening virus spreading around the world. It’s the instinct for humans to enter survival mode when our existence is threatened. But, at some point, we must move past Covid-19 survival mode and start living again.
When Covid hit we were told to enter pandemic survival mode for just a few months. You know the old refrain – “we need to lower the curve and allow the health care system to respond to the crises.”
But some eighteen months later, things still drag on.
Now, some of you may be saying – “Yeah, but survival mode is a natural response to a worldwide pandemic. Especially with morphing and changing viruses. Of which I agree.
However, in the beginning, our response to Covid-19 was natural. The problem I fear is that for some this survival mode has become their living mode. And when people focus on surviving, they put living on hold.
Moving Past Covid-19 Survival Mode Question 1
Are your daily actions focused on reacting or responding?
A reaction is our initial response to an outside influence. For this article, a reaction is like instinct. Things we do without really thinking it through.
A response indicates a more thought-out reply or answers to an outside stimulus. For this article, a response is when we use reason for our reactions.
A sign of immaturity is when people react out of instinct to respond to events around them. Like a knee-jerk reaction when things unexpected happen. When we live our life reactionary, we tend to respond to things automatically. Our reactions are more reflexive and reciprocal. Like the involuntary movement of our muscles, or an emotional outburst when we are hurt.
However, if we learn to be more responsive, we will take into consideration what kind of outcome we desire. A response considers our surroundings, societal expectations, context, and the consequences of our actions over the long term. Living our life responsively takes more nuance and time, but often leads to a more productive outcome.
Reacting is emotional while responding is emotional intelligence.
Things that indicate you’re probably reacting and not responding
- Everything is urgent and you feel your back is often against the wall.
- Your schedule is constantly evolving or being manipulated by outside influences.
- People easily manipulate you and your emotions seem out of control.
- You feel like no one can help you and you’re all on your own.
- Deadlines control your every waking hour.
5 ways to learn how to respond and not just react.
- Slow down and think things through. Reaction comes easy when we’re under pressure. It’s hard to respond when emotions run wild. It requires time to consider the various factors of any circumstance before we respond. Remember, its ok to make people wait a bit.
- Take control of your schedule. Stop living day by day and break out your yearly calendar. You are in control of your own schedule. So, start acting like it.
- Set goals that you can reach without relying on others. Responding requires the ability to control what goes on around us. When we start working on our own goals, we take control of our life. For more information Visit – Our Better Goal Setting Guides.
- Stop and breathe again. Take time to enjoy each day. Pause and reflect on the good things in your life. Slow down and focus on regaining control one step at a time.
- People count on you, but don’t control you. We are not an island unto ourselves and we are all responsible to someone somewhere. Yet if we become sickly and stressed trying to keep everyone happy, we will eventually help no one.
Moving Past Covid-19 Survival Mode Question 2
2. Are you still questioning decisions based mostly on perceived risks?
I have a good friend who’s closely followed the health and sociological effects of the pandemic. He keeps a tab on how various countries responded to the pandemic all over the world. He is the most informed person I know.
The problem is he’s also become extremely risk-averse. The other day he told me he’d be fine if we remained online and socially distanced forever. It seems he’s more focused on the risks of a morphing ever infectious virus than the reward of ever “going back to normal”.
We might be too risk-averse if
- Start to view every action in light of its risk.
- Avoid activities we used to enjoy based solely on the perceived risk factor.
- Refer to ‘experts and research’ before we make most decisions.
- Prefer isolation over interaction, especially if there’s any risk involved.
- Live in anxiety and fear of what could go wrong on a daily basis
5 Ways of moving past your Pandemic Living and Risk Aversion
1. Create a new daily routine.
During the pandemic, we all built new routines. If you’re stuck, chances are your new routine put you there. Take a deep look into your current habits and start to make small incremental changes that push you out of your comfort zone.
2. Stop whining and complaining.
It’s easy to fall into self-pity. Blaming others for our current state. Remember, this pandemic was beyond everyone’s control. So, stop looking outward and start looking inward. Every time you feel the urge to complain, try to find something you’re thankful for and focus on that. I say slay the negative with the positive. It’s time to stop complaining and move on.
3. Find your most positive friends and ask for help.
It’s hard to ask for a hand up when we’re in self-preservation mode. But there is always someone to help. So, start contacting people you know can help. And stop spending time with those enabling your Covid-19 Survival Mode.
4. Stop hiding in your misery
Get outside and enjoy nature. Take a road trip. Exercise out in the fresh air. Go out and have a picnic with close friends. Join a social club. Do something, anything that gets you out of your house or the rut you find yourself in.
5. Make a plan to recoup losses.
Many people suffered financial, health, social, and mental hardships. You can overcome. So, deal with those negative thoughts and emotions of how things will never get back to normal. Start by identifying the ones causing you the most grief and make a plan. Set some goals. Check out some YouTube videos. Buy a book or join a club focusing on renewing your losses.
Moving Past Covid-19 Survival Mode Question 3
Have You Lost Your Joy?
It’s easy to see it when our close friends lose their joy. We read it in their faces. We see it in their body language. We hear it in their voice. We see it in their loss of motivation, commitment, and how their disposition has changed.
The problem is sometimes it’s hard to see it in ourselves. Especially when we’re in pandemic mode and locked away in our own little worlds. But if you’re reading this, you’re probably seeing it in yourself.
4 ideas to help regain your Joy
Survival mode can be from both system and personal failure. So, it’s important to accept the situation we’re in, forgive ourselves (and others) from mistakes, and move forward. So by all means, STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP. It’s time to forgive and move on.
2. Stop focusing inward and start focusing outward.
Sometimes, ya just gotta let go. Start minimizing your life and remove the old baggage and belongings weighing us down. One great way is to start volunteering. Try sharing your success with others. Helping those less fortunate than ourselves is a great way to bring new joy. And realize the things that we really don’t need anymore.
3. Challenge yourself by trying something new
Yes, we all get bored. Things that used to make us happy now don’t. If you tried returning to what used to bring joy and found it lacking. Start making a list of new things you could try. Start working on your bucket list. Find a good church or social group and start meeting new people (joy can be contagious).
When we get into a joy-blocking negative viewpoint it’s hard to get out. Here are a few ideas to change your perspective
- Try a month of journaling. Writing things down can help quantify the issues and visualize the real issue. It can also help to start a gratitude journal to express our thankfulness daily.
- Seek expert help. There are many qualified specialists, psychologists, counselors, pastors etc who can help us re-find our joy.
- Join or Start a Support group. Misery loves company and so does joy. So instead of meeting with our old joyless friends, maybe its time to find some new ones.
- Listen to music or podcasts. Music has been proven to change moods. So, make a new playlist and pump it up. Or try listening to other forms of media that can change your old thinking habits.
- Focus on your spirituality. The bible talks a lot about Joy, as does most religions. That’s because Joy comes from deep within. We are more than just thoughts and flesh. Try exploring, you may never know the joy you’ll find.
Survival Mode is Survivable
Life is filled with detours, setbacks, and upsets. Being stuck in survival mode happens to the best of us. Getting back on track can happen. And the above lists can help us along our way. Leave a comment below or send us a note if you need more help to move past covid-19 survival mode.