Pointing out the importance of keeping morale high when the coronavirus outbreak is so much on the agenda, experts said, "It is important to keep morale high and stay mentally healthy in this process. Because being unhappy, hopeless and overly stressed will negatively affect both the immune system and mental health in the long run," warns the experts. Noting that being hopeful is a source of spiritual energy, experts said, "Being hopeful keeps us vigorous, fresh and active. We should protect our psychological resilience and overcome this process by being hopeful and optimistic and increasing our social support to each other."
Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan said that being hopeful and keeping morale high is very important during this period.
Keeping morale high is very important
"We are facing a global pandemic and we are going through difficult times as humanity," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan and added, "Although there have not yet been mass casualties on a very large scale, the possibility of this happening makes our people very worried. In this process, it is very important that we keep our morale high and stay mentally healthy. Because being unhappy, hopeless and overly stressed will negatively affect both our immune system and our mental health in the long run. Many scientific studies have shown that long-term stress and unhappiness are extremely destructive for our immune system. Therefore, after taking the necessary precautions, we should wait without losing our hope and optimism."
Being hopeful is our spiritual energy source
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan stated that being hopeful is our source of spiritual energy and said, "Being hopeful keeps us vigorous, alive and active. Hope is one of our most valuable resources in coping with difficult situations such as loneliness, distress and pain in our nature. Hope is accompanied by optimism, enthusiasm, perseverance and faith. According to Rick Snyder, famous for his work on hope, hopeful people have the ability to motivate themselves, to feel that they have the skills to achieve their goals, to soothe themselves when they feel cornered with the consolation that better days will come, to show flexibility in finding different ways to achieve their goals, to change goals when they see the impossible, and to break a difficult task into manageable small pieces. Let us always try to keep hope alive."
Unrealistic optimism is dangerous
Noting that optimism is a way of thinking and can be developed and learned, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan said:
"Optimism is not passively having positive expectations. It is a way of thinking and can be developed and learned. In the face of any bad event, an optimistic individual thinks that this event is temporary, controllable and specific to a certain problem. Pessimists, on the other hand, see problems or negativities as permanent and comprehensive. This reduces their strength, energy and hope. At this point, we should also mention the concept of unrealistic optimism.
Unrealistic optimism is very common in our society and prevents caution. In the most general sense, unrealistic optimism is the attitude that "nothing will happen to me". This kind of optimism can make optimistic individuals vulnerable to dangers. It makes the most sense to take every precaution we can and then try to remain hopeful and optimistic."
It can be an opportunity to learn new skills
Noting that a possible curfew may be on the agenda if the number of cases continues to increase, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan said, "In such a situation, staying at home compulsorily will also force people to stay at home. Even individuals who do not have difficulty staying at home in normal times may have difficulty in the face of such an obligation. The most important thing we can do in such situations is to do something to keep us busy. This is a very important coping strategy. The more idle we are, the more anxiety and overwhelm we experience. In this sense, we can engage in any activity that we enjoy. If we have things to do at home, we can engage in them. We can learn a new skill, because learning is hard and requires a lot of focus and process. This takes our minds away from the things that worry us. Apart from these, we can read books, watch documentaries, TV series or movies."
Anxious people should stay away from the news
Noting that information pollution about coronavirus may increase concerns, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan said, "We really need to listen to the experts on this issue and not believe every news on social media. If you have an anxious personality in general or if you have a diagnosed anxiety disorder, I think it is useful to stay away from the news and social media a little more. This is also very important in terms of mental hygiene and protection. Otherwise, there may be an increase in cases such as obsessive hand washing, cleaning or panic attacks."
Busyness is important for those living alone
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan advised that people who live alone in this process should increase their occupation and said, "The social support and interest of people who live with their family or someone else during their stay at home will make it easier for them to overcome the process. However, the situation will be a little more difficult for individuals living alone. These people need to stay stronger and cope with boredom. Keeping busy is much more important for those who live alone. People who can cope with boredom when they are alone do not have much difficulty in being happy."
We will come out of this process stronger
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan said, "Of course, we will have losses in this process. However, as humanity and as a country, we will come out of this process even stronger. So far, I think our country has given a good test in this regard. At least we do not have a shortage of food and drink as a country. Although some of our citizens have rushed to the markets due to high anxiety, it is not an exaggerated situation. I am also very optimistic and confident that our citizens will help and share what they have if their neighbors or relatives are in need of food. Another factor that increases my hope is the state of science. Scientists all over the world are working day and night to find a cure and a vaccine for this virus. I have no doubt that they will find it in a very short time. We just need some time and we need to get through this process with the least loss."
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan said, "We should maintain our psychological resilience and get through this process by being hopeful and optimistic and increasing our social support for each other." "Hope and solidarity are very important. Days like these make us question the meaning of life more and realize the value of freedom and health more. Therefore, we will come out of this process by gaining many positive habits and becoming stronger. We can succeed together."
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