EIDI Tips for Staying Resilient in the Time of Quarantine

Emotional Intelligence and Diversity is an approach to using the power of emotions in effective ways to maintain resilience and optimism in challenging times. It provides not just a conceptual underpinning but actions we can take to empower ourselves especially when we face situations we cannot control. If there was ever such a time it is now as we deal with the unknowns of Covid-19 and the changes it has brought.

Affirmative Introspection:
Affirmative Introspection is step one as it directs us to examine our own reactions and feelings in stressful times such as our current quarantine experience. The following are some examples of ways to take a look inside.
• Name the specific feelings you are experiencing. We know from brain research that naming the feelings decreases their impact in the amygdala, the part of the brain that controls automatic responses such as fight/flight/freeze.
• Share your story with others and encourage them to share theirs with you. Through this sharing you can build connections with others and find commonality that is therapeutic.
• Dig deeper and figure out what need and values are being threatened by the hot buttons you are experiencing during this time. How else can you meet those needs or express those values?
• Name the strengths that have helped you get through previous difficult periods. How can those help you now?
• Pay attention to how you are responding well and what you can do better.

Self-Governance:
Self-Governance offers the actions to take care of ourselves and respond effectively to stress and dilemmas in tough times. The steps below can be helpful.
• Acknowledge your self-talk messages and reframe them if they are negative and defeating.
• Learn to welcome and get the best from ambiguity. Find the positives in the ambiguity you are experiencing. What opportunities does it give you to explore, learn or create?
• List the benefits as well as the losses in your new normal. What are you gaining from it?
• Remember that discomfort is an opportunity for growth.
• Pay attention to your own reactions to change. If you find yourself getting uptight and inflexible, think about ways you could consider other options.

Intercultural Literacy:
Intercultural Literacy evokes the reality of how important it is to understand others by learning about their culture. Everywhere on this planet, people are shaped by culture and the challenge is that the norms and experiences that shape us differ significantly. In dealing with Covid 19, we see a big variation in how the world responds to this challenge and determines what is the best way. This is a perfect time to understand the pervasive
influence of culture. The differences are not personal but they are pervasive.
• Ask yourself what the other person may be experiencing during this time.
• When you see a difficult or irritating behavior, stop and ask yourself what else it could mean.
• Find the good news in reactions and behaviors that are different from yours
• Remember that while we are all experiencing the same storm, we are in different boats.
• When you see behaviors and norms that you don’t like, that is the time to use your critical thinking skills and identify both the benefits and limitations of all the norms you are seeing.
• Know this for sure: in tough times, empathy is one of the skills and tools that is most helpful. Extend it to others. People will not forget it when they receive it.

Social Architecting:
Social Architecting is a critical skill because it focuses on bringing people together
In the time of Covid 19, with people being emotionally and physically isolated. They
need someone who helps unite and build commonality resulting in less anger and frustration and more openness and sensitivity.
• Use your cultural interpreter skills to help others see the flipside of behaviors and perspectives they find irritating. Encourage them to ask what else it could mean.
• Reach out and connect with people you have drifted away from.
• Arrange zoom calls with family, friends and work colleagues.
• Have safe, socially distant get-togethers with family, friends, colleagues and neighbors.
• Create a culture where people want to be there and feel connected to others because you have a climate of respect for differences that you have fostered and with Covid-19, an environment of caring.

Emotional Intelligence and Diversity depends on your being aware and intentional so you are not a victim of circumstances. These action help you stay in the driver’s seat and remain resilient if you are willing to adapt and change.