Good decision-making during COVID-19

Good decision-making during COVID-19

I want to talk about ways to think and behave during the coronavirus pandemic. Some people report being stressed about contracting the virus and falling ill, and others are worried about vulnerable people they know contracting the virus. Some people are affected by the stress of others - for example some employees may be struggling to deal with their employer’s demand that they do extra cleaning or disinfecting work that is outside of their job description or comfort zone.

In addition, people are telling me that they are concerned about the flow on effects - for example, the effects that panic buying may have on the availability of household items in the marketplace - and the economic impact of the restriction of services and cancellation of events will have on oneself and the greater society. 

I’ve noticed a variety of responses to these concerns ranging from anxiety, to frustration, all the way through to feelings of nonchalance and calm acceptance. How is the best way to respond? How should we think, feel and behave in situations like this? 

For me, one of the most valuable and fundamental principles of psychology in practice comes from an ancient philosophical question. “How do I live a good life?” When the conditions I am used to suddenly change, the question becomes even more important. “How do I be the best person I can be in uncertain times?” How do I think and behave in a way that is most helpful to myself and others, and in a manner that also allows me to live according to my values?

I think contemporary therapeutic methods have a lot to offer in times like this. Many of them contain methods to help us evaluate the situations, become aware of our own needs and values, and to make best decisions based on available evidence and knowledge. Over the next few days, I will explore some of the commonly used, evidence-based therapeutic techniques for evaluating information and managing self in relation to what can be determined about a given situation.

Claire Baxter is a registered, practicing psychologist.

 

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Good decision-making during COVID-19

February 10, 2021

Good decision-making during COVID-19

I want to talk about ways to think and behave during the coronavirus pandemic. Some people report being stressed about contracting the virus and falling ill, and others are worried about vulnerable people they know contracting the virus. Some people are affected by the stress of others - for example some employees may be struggling to deal with their employer’s demand that they do extra cleaning or disinfecting work that is outside of their job description or comfort zone.

In addition, people are telling me that they are concerned about the flow on effects - for example, the effects that panic buying may have on the availability of household items in the marketplace - and the economic impact of the restriction of services and cancellation of events will have on oneself and the greater society. 

I’ve noticed a variety of responses to these concerns ranging from anxiety, to frustration, all the way through to feelings of nonchalance and calm acceptance. How is the best way to respond? How should we think, feel and behave in situations like this? 

For me, one of the most valuable and fundamental principles of psychology in practice comes from an ancient philosophical question. “How do I live a good life?” When the conditions I am used to suddenly change, the question becomes even more important. “How do I be the best person I can be in uncertain times?” How do I think and behave in a way that is most helpful to myself and others, and in a manner that also allows me to live according to my values?

I think contemporary therapeutic methods have a lot to offer in times like this. Many of them contain methods to help us evaluate the situations, become aware of our own needs and values, and to make best decisions based on available evidence and knowledge. Over the next few days, I will explore some of the commonly used, evidence-based therapeutic techniques for evaluating information and managing self in relation to what can be determined about a given situation.

Claire Baxter is a registered, practicing psychologist.