Nonviolent Communication offers individuals strategies to fight the challenges emerging out of relationship and stress management issues accentuated by the Covid-19 crisis. At a time when large number of individuals finds themselves in lockdown due to the Coronavirus, many people are experiencing increasing friction and strain in relationship with those who are staying around them continuously. The significance of nonviolent communication in such situations was discussed at a webinar organized by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and Delhi Metropolitan Education on May 22, 2020. 163 participants took part in this webinar.
Delivering the Webinar lecture, Dr Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) discussed the different elements of nonviolent communication and how these could be used in relationship management during these times of lockdown. The Dean of Delhi Metropolitan Education, Dr Ambrish Saxena moderated the session.
The session talked about the stress on relationship management and friction in families due to lockdown. It stated Gandhian Pillars of nonviolence- mutual respect, understanding, acceptance, appreciation and compassion.
The webinar included 255 participants including Counselors, Spiritual healers, Life- coaches, Students, Relationship experts giving their advice to people in psychological distress due to pandemic in different ways.
Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, conversed about importance of non violent communication under this struggling stage and its importance. He stated that ‘due to this lockdown many people find themselves drifting towards the well of ill mental health and negative psychological effects including post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion, and anger. Stressors included longer quarantine duration, infection fears, emotional distrust, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, inadequate information, financial loss, and stigma, many are being forced to compromise with unfortunate situation overall everyone is suffering from ‘corona fatigue.’
He also stated that ‘imbibing non-violence in our speech, action, thoughts and perspectives, we can become less aggressive. This will have calming effects on us and we will avoid being aggressive in our relationships’.
Another aspect discussed in the webinar was self-introspection, that how people are running after the materialistic gains and luxurious life. People should find this crisis as an opportunity to encourage themselves for their intrapersonal communication. They must reinvent themselves and should try to unearth their hidden talents. This is a stage when one must widen their emotional vocabulary. Inappropriate use of language and words can contribute to conflicts and chaos. One must practice empathy to live a peaceful and a fuller life. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu said, “The more empathetic we are towards others, we should expect more empathetic behaviour from others. Hence we will be able to promote empathetic connections which in turn will be able to reduce the stress level in houses”.
People must be compassionate to others. They should understand each other’s concerns and difficulties. We should show compassion and respect to all the workers across the world. One must also express one’s gratitude to all the health workers, doctors, all the people who are working tirelessly to ensure that we are safe and healthy.