Stop resisting it. It’s happening; accept what is. Resistance is the biggest source of our emotional pain and a huge waste of energy. Use that energy to stay healthy instead.

Focus on what’s going right in life, and feel good about. The virus isn’t so pervasive that we can’t enjoy many, many other things. For me it’s focusing on the emergence of blossoms and daffodils, as well as my daft puppy (and kids). 

Live from love, rather than fear. Being scared of everything doesn’t help. When you’re stressed or fearful, you’re operating from your sympathetic nervous system. You simply cannot heal when you’re in fight-or-flight. Do what you need to do to activate your parasympathetic nervous system. Also, when we choose to focus on others with love we get out of our own heads which is a good thing.

Be grateful for your blessings. Gratitude makes you feel a whole lot better by bathing your nervous system in safety cues. 

Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet – this one comes from the Stoics. 

Be educated but not obsessive. Keep on top of what’s happening so you can make smart decisions, but don’t obsess over your Twitter feed or wallow in fearful media unnecessarily.

Look after your hormones. We can help to regulate our hormones by getting plenty of sleep and cutting back on alcohol and sugar (tempting though it is to drink through this entire situation). All these steps will boost your immune system too. 

Consider your world-views or spirituality and how you may be able to use these to make sense of what’s happening, and to derive some meaning from it. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that we live in a friendly universe. I believe we have a team of light on the other side looking out for us. We’ve also been told by astrologers that 2020 was always destined to be a year of great upheaval and rebuilding of our economic system. I find these frameworks helpful.

Write out some affirmations that you find reassuring, and say them whenever you feel yourself spiralling. I’ve been saying these on a loop when I wake up and it’s really helped:

I am healthy and strong 

I release resistance

I release fear

I surrender into love

I trust that the universe has my back, and I believe it has creative solutions

Remember what you can and can’t control. You can’t control pandemics or other people, any more than you can control the weather. You can control hygiene practices and caring for your immune system, as well as making decisions around social distancing that serve you.