Thursday, 28 July was Earth Overshoot Day – the date when humanity has consumed all the resources that the earth can sustainably produce for the entire year. 

This information, heard first thing in the morning on the radio, just added to all the other bad news being broadcast daily by the media: armed conflicts around the world, political instability, the dire state of the planet, climate change and melting glaciers, staggering biodiversity loss, rocketing energy prices and, of course, wave after wave of the pandemic that regularly threaten us with self-isolation.

We’re all living through a very anxiety-inducing time.

These issues and the resulting uncertainty affect us all individually and have an impact on our Laboratory, leaving us feeling powerless and stressed. These are some of the problems that people voice in the Ombud’s Office. 

When we are faced with this anxiety-inducing reality day after day, it’s easy to let ourselves be influenced and shaped by it. For instance, we might: 
become aggressive, cynical or indifferent, when we used to face challenges with calm optimism;
lose the spirit of solidarity and collaboration with our colleagues because we are so focused on our family’s well-being and future;   
be on the point of speaking up to share our ideas or suggest solutions, but our anxiety keeps us silent. 

Of all the tools we have available to help us tackle our stressful reality and its consequences, I’d like to highlight three that are easy to put into action in the workplace:

• Firstly, bring your attention back to the content of your work. Adopt a mindful approach and focus on the quality and purpose of what you’re producing, whether it’s a one-off mechanical part, an equipment test, interface programming, a presentation, a contract, etc.
• Then, because the ties we forge with others are what define us, engage with and listen to your colleagues more, in a spirit of empathy, collaboration and trust.
• Last but not least, take care of yourself and your physical and mental well-being.

Putting this advice into action, especially if you haven’t been following it lately, will help you cope with the anxiety induced by everything that’s going on in the world right now – both for your own sake and for the good of our Laboratory’s unique mission. 

                                    Laure Esteveny

I want to hear from you – feel free to email ombud@cern.ch with any feedback or suggestions for topics you’d like me to address. 
 

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