Beating the Coronavirus Stress

In 1940 and 1941, the people of London and cities and towns across Great Britain endured the terror of a new kind of warfare. Though by day they were far from the front lines of the fighting in World War II, by night they were subject to a bombing campaign powered by planes that could fly farther, faster, and with a bigger, more deadly cargo. And yet, even with the specter of war hanging over their daily lives, to a remarkable degree, people resisted the urge the panic. They resisted the urge to let their lives crumble. They simply persisted. They persisted, in large measure, because they saw themselves as active participants in the fight for their country.

We know a good deal about how the people fared and the factors that shaped their response because the British government commissioned several academic studies at the time to help assess the public’s mood and identify factors that sustained public morale.

As numerous elements of our daily lives fall to the wayside in the effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus, we can learn a lot from how the British made it through the raids.

1. You are a soldier in this fight. The British, by enlisting “the public as essential and capable partners” in the war, allowed people to see even the most mundane actions of their day as a part of the war effort. By continuing to function, people were helping their country. We must see that in our own daily efforts. Instead of thinking in terms of what you have lost or given up, think in terms of what you are accomplishing by protecting your family and helping to stem the growth of this disease.

2. Skip the rumors. The British found that optimistic propaganda actually lowered morale. Identify the health officials and others you trust, and let them guide you. Mute everyone else on the subject.

3. Cultivate feelings of control. The British found that "a sense of being in control supported morale during the air raids." Today it’s easy to feel that the disease has taken over our towns, our homes, our lives. But you are making decisions every minute of the day. Remember, a good decision to avoid a crowd is not surrendering, it’s asserting your control over the situation.

There is good news here. Even in the worst of circumstances, the British found that “panic was rare” and that many Britons found “an inner buoyancy to offset the raids.” German air-raids didn’t take over British life – and the coronavirus doesn’t rule your life, you do.