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Who would have thought couple of months back, a sneeze or a cough from a neighbour can make us jump off with apprehension? Who would have thought just sitting at home doing nothing (instead of walking around and carrying / transmitting virus) would be considered as a great service to society?!

If we just flick the TV on, you get, mostly, nothing but grisly news about Corona, glaring back at you. True indeed, it is sad and unfortunate situation that is unfolding all around us across all continents. Unfortunately, this has induced one more new stress, called Corona stress. It is said, this is the outcome of listening, watching invariably not so good infection related news about the COVID 19, but also due to enormous negative economic impact the virus is bringing on Individuals as well as to organizations, big or small. Even a senior minister in Germany succumbed to it
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So how do we handle this Corona stress? I would like to go back to my training material on Circle of Influence and Circle of Concern. While, some of us can influence and do something as an individual, group or society, towards mitigation of the ill effects of virus, most of us know that, there is not much one can do (even though it is matter of grave concern) till COVID 19 goes through this phase, other than locking ourselves up inside where ever we are. Of course, we are concerned about COVID 19, but should we allow that invisible, small, tiny creature to stress ourselves so much?

Can we look at some of the Corona stress busters for this phase of uncertainty ?

1. No doubt, Corona is dangerous. But world had faced much worse (as of now) epidemics earlier. But there was no internet, social media, 24/7 media updates then. So limit your watching and listening information about COVID 19, to as less or as required, as possible. Need not have to keep seeing or reading about it all through day and night!

2. Never in your life before and may be never again, you will have so much of free time in your hand! Instead of cursing about your idleness, just thank God for this gift of time and be grateful to Him.

3. Watch your young children grow. Many of us missed it out while focusing on our career. Use this time to tell stories to young kids.

4. Do digital detox to yourself as well to your children. Free time need not mean only watching movies through OTT platforms, or spending significant time with play station. Instead learn something along with your family members.

5. Connect with nature. If you have never "felt" (not just walked) on soil, do so now. Try gardening. Even balcony garden, kitchen garden would do. Look with curiosity on how soil coverts a seed into a plant, a flower and a vegetable / fruit.

6. Did you notice that you can see more stars now? May be due less pollution. Sit in terrace with family under starlit sky and enjoy hot cup of tea or even dinner with friends and family.

7. It is said in about 20 days any new habit gets internalized. Pick up at least one good habit, may be simple, and internalize it.

8. No excuse for not being fit. Try simple body weight exercises. Burpees, Push ups, Lunges etc. Or pull out those dumbbells and barbells from attics and put to use.

9. It is not just tolerating but accepting the situation that reduces stress. This is possible by Meditation. Enough of looking outwards, look inwards. Meditation is a stress buster for sure. Learn and practice.

10. If you had not learnt Yoga till now, do it now. It is available on line. Try simple ones to start with. It reboots body and mind to enable you to start every day with energy.

11. Learn a new skill. Some of my friends have pulled out their painting brushes, mouth organs, musical instruments etc. Explore those hidden talents. If you want hard stuff, try some kick boxing warm up exercises.

12. Call your forgotten friends. Relive old incidents, renew connects.

13. Finally, with due respect to all lives lost, it is not going to be curtains down for the world. Human race is going to exist. So, plan for your Business, Employees, Customer and Family. But remember, world is going to function a little bit differently soon. New technologies, different processes, new customer expectations / behaviors, new partnerships, new understanding about life, are going to emerge. It is going to VUCA world. Make yourself ready for the same.

As a noble soul said, "THIS TOO SHALL PASS" This situation is like a period of Eclipse for human race. So chin up and face future with confidence