As we enter summer 2020, we are faced with the reality that changes to our ‘norm’ will continue to come. The economy continues to be affected and restrictions remain for the foreseeable future.
With this in mind, we must continue to take care of our mental health and build our resilience. In honour of this, Thomas Peterson has offered to write a blog for me. In this blog he offers up tips that have been shown to help people cope. Inevitably, not all of these tips will work for everyone, but that isn’t the point. The point is to take time to reflect on how you’re coping and potentially include some of these helpful tips into your coping strategy toolbox.
On that note, I present Thomas Peterson’s ‘Tips For Coping During Difficult Times’:
Tips For Coping During Difficult Times
To say that 2020 has been a challenging year for many would be an understatement;
worldwide, people are facing unprecedented levels of stress and uncertainty regarding
their employment, finances, and the health of their family and friends. A pandemic is a
global phenomenon that no one is prepared to deal with until it happens. In these
circumstances, self-care becomes essential – without it, fear and anxiety can become
overwhelming. To help cope with these difficult emotions, here are some tips to assist
with managing hardships and tension during COVID-19:
Reach out to loved ones. When you contain your thoughts and worries inside of your
head, sometimes these problems can magnify beyond reality. By speaking to a trusted
friend or family member, you can put your problems into perspective. During troubling
times, it can be validating to talk and listen to someone who cares about you and
empathizes with your pain. Lean on the community around you when you need support.
Focus on the positives. There is no shortage of negative news these days. Try to
distance yourself from stressful world events by choosing to keep the positives at the
forefront of your mind. For example, spending more time at home allows you to become
closer to your family. Gratitude is about appreciating the small things, no matter how
insignificant they seem – even the taste of your morning coffee or tea, and the smell of
fresh air. Be thankful for what you have to combat negative emotions and experiences.
You can put stress into perspective by opposing negative thoughts with positive ones,
such as things that you are grateful for.
Be compassionate towards yourself. Grief does not always express itself the same way for everyone.
There are many different types of grief; it does not only occur when we lose a loved
one. People mourn when they lose a job, and during other unexpected life changes.
Show yourself kindness and understanding rather than diminishing or invalidating your
emotions. Grief is a perfectly normal reaction to an unprecedented situation.
Journal once a day. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be tremendously
helpful. If you are working from home, a daily journal can help you chronicle the
passage of time – when our environment stays the same from day-to-day, the time tends
to blur together. A journal will help you separate days into concrete units, and you can
comprehend your thoughts and feelings as the weeks go by. By writing down your
thoughts, you can organize your emotions so they are not blown out of proportion. Set
aside 15 minutes each day to write down how you are feeling.
Practice self-care. This includes activities like mindfulness, eating healthy foods,
exercising, and getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night. While gyms are closed, you can
still practice home workouts, or simply go for a walk each day. It will do wonders to
relieve tension and help your body feel its best. Take care of yourself so that you are
best equipped to handle difficult situations.
Take up a new hobby. A busy mind will help you steer your mental health back on track.
Investing your energy in something new will help you feel productive and creative during
times of hardship. Try your hand at drawing or painting to channel your emotions into a
work of art. Or, get into building puzzles or solving Sudoku – these hobbies are
beneficial for your cognitive abilities.
Let go of things beyond your control. It’s important not to blame yourself for situations
that are out of your hands. While it is tempting to stress about world events, remember
that they are beyond you; if you focus on what you can actually change, you will be
happier for it. You can take action to alleviate the stress that is caused by things within
your grasp. When you feel overwhelmed, remember: you are not to blame for difficulties
that you are experiencing. Instead, focus your energy on the aspects of life that you can
change.
Ask for help. Handling stress on your own can be detrimental to your health. For the
well-being of yourself and those who care about you, seek support when you need it.
While in-person appointments may be restricted, there are many therapy services
offered online. Talking to a friend has its advantages, but sometimes you might seek to
confide in someone who does not know you personally – it can allow you to speak more
openly about the stress you may be enduring. Seek online counselling services if you
need professional advice.
Trying times can make us forget the importance of self-care. Practicing the above tips
will help you cope with the disruptions in your life that have resulted from COVID-19. To
handle difficult emotions, try reaching out to loved ones, focusing on the positives,
showing yourself compassion, starting a new hobby, and asking for help when you need
it. Thinking about the pandemic can be overwhelming – diminish this anxiety by taking
better care of yourself because it’s the one thing you can control.
Authors Bio:
Thomas loves reading new things and enjoys working as a writer. He is keenly
interested in alternative medicine, astrology, and health-related topics. Some of his
favourite pieces can be found on Dr. Ceaser’s website.