At present we are preoccupied with the Covid-19 pandemic. The good news, various parties are exerting the best efforts according to their respective talents to overcome this pandemic. We salute the medical staff who are ready to bet their lives and live separately from the family for the healing of patients. Followed by the progress of vocational students, university students and the general public innovate to create facilities for shared hygiene and health; entrepreneurs, artists and various groups raise funds; doctors and engineers work together to design PPE and breathing aids. All work together to overcome the plague.
Various news related to Covid-19 come and go. In the beginning, we received information and appeals lightly, just as knowledge, there has been no emotional involvement, so that our daily walk as usual. But when we experience, for example, a relative or close friend dies due to the plague, or we must undergo independent isolation, or the home environment is closed for public access, then we feel we are not mentally ready and do not know how to act.
How to maintain mental well-being in this uncertain situation? Let’s check our emotional state so we can process it effectively, directed at self-maturity.
In the discussion on The People Side of Change, Dale Carnegie & Associates adopted the writings of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, author of The Book on Death and Dying (1969), which wrote about human reactions when faced with situations that threatened survival. The article guides 8 stages of emotional reactions in changes/situations that are difficult to accept. We will likely experience it during this pandemic. Everyone can react differently, with different levels of emotions, some are visible (active emotional reactions) and some are invisible (passive).
8 Stages of Emotional Reaction:
Stage 1 – Shock
Mental paralysis when involved personally with an undesirable situation. The reaction that arises is very surprised, feel not ready to face, cannot think, forget all the information that has ever been received, do not know what to do.
Stage 2 – Denial
When the shock reaction subsides, distrust begins, a desire to deny, hopes that the situation can change soon. Denial reactions, for example, jokes (memes) about Indonesians being immune to viruses, staying active despite being aware of symptoms of illness, not wanting to believe in any news except what they believe (I may not be exposed, my family is safe)
Stage 3 – Anger
The denial begins to collapse, seeing the facts and data that prove that a pandemic is inevitable. The feeling that arises is a rejection containing anger and protest. Seen from people who post criticism and blasphemy against government policies or parties deemed responsible for tackling a pandemic, annoyed at people who cough or sneeze, blame people who have contracted the virus, easily angry with a variety of reasons.
Stage 4 – Bargaining
After realizing that anger does not bring results, people begin to try to negotiate or bargain related to the role, process, extent of the impact of change. A conscience began to emerge, “Oh well, there was an outbreak. But if possible, not at my location; don’t get to the next month; no more casualties. Hopefully, if this request is fulfilled, I promise I will live better”
Stage 5 – Dejection
It turned out that what was proposed and requested was not fulfilled, the situation was still tense, the sufferers continued to grow, people saw that the environment of the house was in the red zone. Feeling sad and disappointed. The mood becomes moody, physical complaints begin to appear, feel abandoned and ignored by people around, lose motivation to work, get bored, even become depressed – do not want to continue life, death is a better choice.
Stage 6 – Letting Go
Life turns out to continue, continuing to grieve is of no use, then people begin to open their eyes to reality, to see the development of the situation and the latest cases. People are willing to accept and obey every direction based on the realization that they really cannot stop or change the situation. People obey the protocol to maintain hygiene and health, keep working and study productively from home, obeying instructions from the authorities.
Stage 7 – Exploration (learn more)
A clearer understanding of the situation inspires people to explore ideas that can be developed now and what their future looks like. People begin to apply useful new habits, such as family togetherness, happiness over simple things, orderly dividing time, choosing beneficial reading, maintaining prayer life, developing hobbies, sharing with others, and various ways to improve self-quality.
Stage 8 – Acceptance
At this stage whatever happens is accepted wholeheartedly, even begins to support change. “Luckily this situation happened …” People can be grateful for many things, draw wisdom behind a pandemic, belief more in the best design God has set, walk all the time with full awareness because they realize how fragile life is.
The 8 stages of emotional reactions are natural and human reactions, not to be covered up or taken for granted. Every person has a different capacity in processing it. Some can continue to grow to the next stage, but some are trapped in the initial stages. Dale Carnegie reminded, “Fill your mind with things that bring peace, courage, health and hope” then we will continue to progress through the dynamics of this feeling. Hopefully we can maintain mental resilience in facing any situation.
By Lidwina Widayati – Senior Trainer Dale Carnegie Indonesia
