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PA Enterprise
Talk it over Do it badly
Covid-19 has made it a lot harder to be with Optimists live longer, have better relationships
others in person, and winter can make it harder and better immune systems, says Olivia Remes of
still. That’s a big issue for millions of people and Cambridge University. And the good news is you
the mental health consequences for some will be can cultivate optimism: an inner sense that you
serious. So it’s a good idea to maximise the little can make a difference to your life, and that it’s not
social contact that is available. all down to things outside your control. How? Her
“We’re not really designed to be on our own,” number one tip is the principal of “do it badly”.
says Professor Emerita Elizabeth Kuipers, of King’s In other words don’t wait to do things perfectly at
College London. “We’re socially-oriented. We feel the right time on the right day. That’s even more
better with social contact.” Talking problems over important in winter when gloomy weather might
when you can is a good idea, but the key thing is make you think twice about doing something.
how it’s done, she says. “Our inner voice of criticism continually stops us
“Going over problems again and again, just from doing worthwhile things”, she says. “Jump
rehearsing how terrible you feel, may not help straight into action. Do things and accept that
at all. Talking things through with someone who they might initially be done badly. When you do
can help you reframe your problems, and help that, most of the time the results are actually are
you move through them can be much more not that bad - and they’re almost always better
helpful.” than doing nothing.”
Isolated people are more likely to focus on Olivia’s other tips include writing down three
themselves, says Professor Kuipers, and that things each day that you’re grateful about, to
can make things worse. So reach out when you force yourself to focus on what’s gone well and
can, and if Covid-19 means you can’t do that why. It’ll fire up the left hand side of your brain
in person, make that phone call to a friend, or which is associated with positivity.
arrange to talk online. “Emotions are contagious”, she says, so “if you can,
gently steer away from negative, miserable people
who are constantly complaining”, because you’ll
find yourself becoming one of those people too.
PA Enterprise is published by
16 December 2020/January 2021
