#StayHome with rational thoughts and flexible preferences (*)

Although this message is clear and understandable, at the same time is unbearable and oppressive for many of us. It is a fact that if we want to protect ourselves, our beloved ones as well as the whole country, it is necessary to #StayHome.

Unfortunately, this is not easy for all of us. For some, there is a rigid demand that this should not have been happened. For some other people there is low frustration tolerance and some others do not adapt quickly and easily to change. The catastrophic inferences, that the worst-case scenario will happen and thoughts that we will be financially ruined, social life will be lost forever, etc. bother many of us. Also, there are many who think that life has no meaning and is generally not worth it, if we #Stayhome.

If we nurture these or other irrational thoughts in our minds, the consequences for our emotions, behavior, body, and mind will be negative.

Thus, we are likely to experience anxiety, anger, depression, psychological pain, and other unhealthy negative emotions. Our behavior may be aggressive, reactionary, non-compliant, vindictive, self-destructive, damnatory, avoidant, apathetic, etc. Our body is likely to react with various pains, such as: headache, stomach pain, fatigue etc.

Really, how much helpful is the irrational way of thinking? Where will we go if we continue to think irrationally? Is it reasonable to think this way?

Instead of saying to ourselves, “This should not have happened, imprisonment cannot be endured, we will be destroyed, life is not worth living or meaningless,” we may say in our minds, “it would have been better if this had not happened. Τhe fact that it happens does not mean that life has no meaning or is not worth it or that we will be destroyed. We are disciplined and able to withstand and cope with difficulties. We are looking for help and we are offering it where we can”. This kind of rational thoughts will enable us to maintain flexible preferences instead of rigid demands, we experience healthier emotions, accept change, and adapt more easily to it. Thus, we win the daily battles of life.

#StayHome, #ReadHome

(*) Based on REBT – Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. More information can be found in the book “To Coaching στην Πράξη”, iWrite publications, Zoi A. Lioliou, 2nd edition, chapter 8, pp. 169-183, Greek language.