Melancholy
Wednesday, April 15, was the first day I have felt a sense of melancholy or overwhelming negativity since this all began. This is actually good news for me, since I tend to lean a bit on the moody side…it’s surprising that it took more than a month for strong negative emotions to creep in. I’m OK now, but I can see how quickly these dark feelings can spiral into hopelessness, despair and depression. The biggest things for me to remember are:
Focus on the things I can control, not on what I can’t. There are lots of things I can still control: how I spend the little money I have, what I read, what I write, how & when I exercise, what foods I buy & prepare, when I go to bed, etc. These are things to focus on. The overall situation in the world, while good to be informed of, is not something to dwell on all day long.
Get some exercise, especially cardio. Studies show repeatedly that cardio improves blood flow and oxygen to the brain, releases natural hormones that are associated with feeling good and thinking positive thoughts, and releases natural painkillers for the body. I often dread getting started on a workout, but just a few minutes into it I feel better, and I’ve never regretted a workout afterward.
Even though it has to be a remote chat, reach out to others in my social circles. One of the worst things, but also one of the best, about these times is that everyone is going through the same things at just about the same time. This means everyone can relate. This isn’t a time to be overly proud or standoffish, especially if others reach out to me and wish to talk (remotely, that is). This is a time for everyone to be there (remotely) for each other.
Break up difficult or complicated tasks into bite-sized chunks. With everything going on, it’s tough to focus on the big tasks for very long. It helps me tremendously to do a little at a time, and take frequent breaks so that I don’t feel crushed by the seemingly limitless mountain of work in front of me. Yes, it takes me longer to complete the work than it normally would, but I do complete it, in an abnormal circumstance.
Don’t expect to be Superman. Build in some time to just veg out or take a nap. No one really expects me to save the world or even the neighborhood. No one really expects me to metamorphose into a muscle-bound, marathon-running, best-seller-novel-writing dynamo either. So I shouldn’t burden myself with these expectations. I was better than good enough before the pandemic; I will be better than good enough coming out of it. Nothing depends on me being able to bench press 450 lbs., learn quantum physics, or finish a double century bike ride; everything depends on me being happy and healthy enough to carry on and get things done.
Bike Newbie 