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60 DOSSIER Le temps retrouvé

Stress, impossible to avoid,

yet possible to overcome

Patricia Bark 2 7
de

hile Lebanon is stuck between an explosion, pandemic and economic crisis, how can we have faith,
Wsurvive and stay positive?
As we know, the fourth of August 2020 changed everything. Even before the devastating explosion in the
port area of Beirut, the situation for people in Lebanon was not particularly easy.

COVID-19 pandemic worsened the health situation in Lebanon that was already struggling. And now I’ll
ask the same question “Can we solve all these problems, while trying our best to survive, and spreading
positive vibes around us no matter what happens?” OF COURSE WE CAN. If others can why can’t we?
If our ancestors survived famine and civil war, why can’t we go through some economic crisis and health
problems? … Optimism is not just about seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. It’s about reframing
thoughts into more accurate statements and choosing a reality that is more useful.

There are many ways to build your optimism and reduce your stress. First, keep a positive outlook, remind
yourself that all what we are facing is temporary; we have overcome worse setbacks before and we can do
it again. Let’s focus on the positive things that could be achieved and learn from our experience, after all,
the pain we feel today will be the strength we feel tomorrow. We should try to celebrate every small win.
Second, celebrate your time with your family. Family is where life begins and love never ends. It is the best
thing you could ever wish for. They are there for you during the ups and downs, and they will love you no
matter what.
Third, exercise regularly. Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by rules, it teaches you to
know what it feels like to win and lose, it teaches you about life. And don’t ever forget: ”You’re never a loser
until you quit trying” (as the American footballer Mike Ditka said).
Fourth, meditate. Meditation provides a way of learning how to let go, a way to purify and quiet the mind.
Fifth, perform a healthy lifestyle. Healthy is an outfit that looks different on everybody. A healthy outside
starts from the inside.

If you can stay positive in a negative situation, you win. So NEVER SAY NEVER BECAUSE LIMITS, LIKE
FEARS, ARE OFTEN JUST ILLUSIONS.

Illustration Fatmé Daou 1 re 4

Nous du Collège - N 296 - Mars 2022
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