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It feels like the hopefulness of a month ago is starting to give way to despair.
If you’re feeling anxious again (& let’s face it, who isn’t??), please remember you are not alone. This is the biggest mental health challenge we have faced in generations.
If you’re feeling anxious again (& let’s face it, who isn’t??), please remember you are not alone. This is the biggest mental health challenge we have faced in generations.
In a situation such as this, stress, anxiety, despair are all part of a normal response to a deeply abnormal event.
But some things to remember- in March, none of us had experienced anything like this before. In March we were, excuse the term, global pandemic virgins. Now it is September & that cherry is well & truly popped!!
In March, a lot of our cognitive resources were going towards simply understanding the situation we were in. We found ourselves caught in the ‘This can’t be real’ phase.
Now, we know it’s real. We know what is going on around us. We don’t like it, but we know.
Now, we know it’s real. We know what is going on around us. We don’t like it, but we know.
That means that this time we can put those cognitive resources to better use. We can react more quickly, more efficiently.
Don’t forget, we all developed coping mechanisms for this back in the spring. We all came up with strategies to help us cope.
Don’t forget, we all developed coping mechanisms for this back in the spring. We all came up with strategies to help us cope.
Trying to stay in the moment & not looking to the future. Reading great books. Watching tv that soothes & distracts. Seeking social support, be it online or through zoom or calls. Meditation & lowering our expectations of ourselves WAY down.
The world is stressful right now, absurdly so. But we can deal with this. We HAVE dealt with this. And when this is finally done, we will emerge more capable & with far greater understanding than we had before.
One final note, if you are experiencing depression or anxiety, know that you are absolutely not alone. Also know that this is NOT a life sentence. Find a counsellor- most of them will offer online sessions now.
Depression & anxiety do not necessarily last forever - BELIEVE ME, I’ve experienced both - but when you’re in them, it can feel like it. Getting support will allow you to find the path out.
We will make it through this. We have learned. We will continue to learn. And one of the things we will learn is just how extraordinarily capable we are.
