We Asked An Expert What We Should Do if Omicron Is Stressing Us Out

If news about the new COVID strain is giving you the creeps, you’re not alone…

There’s no doubt being bombarded with information along with the rapidly changing state of the world has put a real dampener on your studies and future plans.

With vax rates and open borders on the rise for a hot second there, perhaps “normality” seemed that little bit closer.

So, it wouldn’t be surprising if the news about the new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' gave you the jitters about what it all could mean for us.

There’s actually a scientific explanation behind that feeling. It’s said to be a trauma response triggered by pandemic-related events disrupting our lives in the past (hello, Delta!).

That’s what clinical and forensic psychologist Dr Ahona Guha says, so we asked her to give us some advice on how to deal with the uncertainty surrounding Omicron.

Name the feeling.

There’s a whole range of emotions swirling around with new information emerging. The most predominant ones are anxiety and frustration, Dr Guha said.

Branching from those, is hopelessness and anticipatory sadness, “at this point, we don't know whether the strain is going to go away, blow up or spread… So the range of unknowns leads to that sense of hopelessness."

Dr Guha thinks these are common feelings for us as we make the big decisions about our future, but understanding the process in itself is a helpful step.

Redirect your thoughts.

Fearful thoughts run rampant during times of uncertainty — will this end? Are we ever going to be able to travel, study or work overseas?

The answer is yes, we will, it might just take time. And that’s okay.

“It’s really important if we are moving into thinking about the worst case, that we are able to bring our thoughts back and focus on more neutral alternatives,” Dr Guha said.

She recommends regular breaks from the news and chatting with mates as great ways to do this.

Accept big changes happen anyway

Spoiler alert: you’d probably be changing your mind and plans a whole heap even if there wasn’t a pandemic. Miss Rona has just made things stickier.

“We are constantly changing our minds… It's really important to maintain a sense of realism and keep in mind it's very unlikely that this is going to change our plans completely,” Dr Guha said, “we are going to be able to find our way to the path that we want.”

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— Todd 'Papi' Carlos (@TheToddWilliams) November 26, 2021

Think of the things you CAN do.

Dr Guha said it’s important to keep a sense of perspective and balance with what we can control now.

“We might not be able to go and see our extended family around the world this Christmas, but we can spend it with our close friends,” she said, “letting go of the things we can’t control and making sure we’re staying connected to the people we care about in the best ways we can is vital.”

Remember how you feel is super valid.

“Your feelings are there, and your feelings are valid, and it's a very difficult time. The bottom line is to not to make it worse for ourselves by expecting that we're going to be managing it perfectly,” Dr Guha said.

Support, social connection, and not feeling alone are paramount here—be kind to yourself.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times. 

Header Image: Gustavo Fring via Pexels