HABIC’s Guide to Navigating the Uncharted Waters of the COVID-19 Part 1

It has undoubtedly been a crazy few weeks! So much has happened, we are all struggling to keep up with the pace of change, and to process the enormity of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  There is so much that is unknown, and so many questions that will remain unanswered for weeks to come. Bearing this in mind, we need to start to really focus on the here and now. Over the next few days HABIC will share its Top Tips for Navigating the Uncharted Waters of COVID-19. This will include some tips and links to resources which we hope will be of benefit to you and will keep you grounded and give you some guidance as we all navigate these uncharted waters.

HABIC’s Guide to Navigating the Uncharted Waters of the COVID-19;  

1. Acceptance; what is within YOUR control? 
2. Reflection & honesty; looking back to help you positively move forward, what should you learn from this crisis?
3. Communication & Connection; what can you do to support your teams, industry, clients and family during this uncertain time? 
4. Adaptive Leadership; what can you do now during this time, that will positively impact your life or business in the long run?
5. Clarity and Focus, Strategy; Focus on the: As is, to Be, and the How to get there.
6. Be Kind

Part 1 – Acceptance; what is within YOUR control? 

For many of us, clarity and control in our everyday life is really important. All of a sudden, we have found ourselves in a position with limited clarity and with everything rapidly changing around us. The COVID-19 pandemic brings so many questions and concerns, and if we are all honest……..no one has all the answers.  

For now, all we can do: 

• Is be a Team Ireland player, 
• Be accountable for our own actions, 
• Follow the guidance given by Government, HSPC, HSE, WHO
• Focus on what YOU can control

Mental Wellbeing

Now, more than ever, it is essential for our mental wellbeing to accept the situation for what it is, and to start to look at what you have control over. Pat Divilly’s recent podcast offers some helpful tip on dealing with uncertainty and focusing on what is within your control coronavirus-and-dealing-with-uncertainty.

Consistent Routine

During this period of isolation, unpredictability and uncertainly feeds and fuels anxiety and panic. In this context, the importance of a predictable and consistent routine will bring an element of comfort. Dr Mark Smyth, a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland has written an excellent blog piece which outlines the importance of a daily routine covid19-psychological-survival 

Emotional Wellbeing

layahealthcare.ie recently started a new Covid-19 podcast, you can listen to clinical psychologist, Dr. Eddie Murphy, who talks about looking after our emotional wellbeing mental-health-with-dr-eddie-murphy 

Prof Ciarán O’Boyle, the Director of the RCSI Centre for Positive Psychology and Health recently wrote an article in the Irish Times focusing on COVID-19 anxiety  coronavirus-how-to-cope-with-covid-19-anxiety 

Siobhán Murray, life coach and psychotherapist offers practical advice on how to cope with the changes in her Journal.ie, Wellness Wednesday article “Keep it Simple during this Covid-19 isolation” Wellness Wednesday- Journal.ie 

Resources: 

• Laya Healthcare also has a regular blog that will help support your during these uncertain times; www.layahealthcare.ie/coronavirus/ 
• Fiona Brennan is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and is offering her Positive Habits course for free or a donations during this time cocoon-your-mind-open-your-heart-to-hope 
• A Lust for Life offers relevant content that supports for individuals to become “guardians of their own mind”, topics include blogs, videos and coping strategies on Covid-19, anxiety, mental health, teens and children tools/self-care-during-covid19-a-lust-for-life-live-broadcasts 
• Pat Divilly is an Irish author, speaker and high performance coach who is passionate about supporting others. Pat has lots of free resources: 14 Day Self Awareness Journaling and Meditation Challenge and you can also find his Podcast here; patdivilly.com/podcast

HABIC is working hard to keep our members updated on all COVID-19 developments from safety to financial. It is also focused on assisting our members as we deal with the personal challenges resulting from the fall out of COVID-19. If there are any resources or information that you would like to receive, please comment below, or email HABIC at info@habic.ie.