Covid Blues
Languishing is the sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield
– Dr. Adam Grant
“Ed didn’t make it.”
…
Sigh, “I’m so sorry, Mom.”
….
Beep. Call over.
My mom just told me that another friend did not survive in the fight against COVID-19. The heaviness seems thick and strangely numbing at the same time. This sensation has become horrifying normal. Normal for clients to tell me about another person in their life passing away prematurely. It is typical for people to share that they struggle with stress and profound sadness that life no longer looks recognizable. The learning curve to the new world is steep and uncomfortable.
As we start on the 3rd year of this global pandemic, it feels like we are all stuck on a treadmill of doom and gloom. We have survived two years of tremendous uncertainty and upheaval to our way of life. What was supposed to be a short-term problem has become a weird new routine that involves much loss. This is traumatizing.
We all want the world to return to a more predictable normal. To get back to a world filled with the ability to participate in what we love to do. We also cannot wait to work on our mental health. The temptation to deny that COVID has changed the world is tantalizing. This denial is damaging as it prevents people from learning new ways of coping with challenges. Adapting to new ways of dealing with stress is key to coping with traumatic change. Here are some strategies/action plans to start feeling better.
Ways to fight the COVID blues
1. Develop a sense of physical and emotional safety
When the world is upside down, it is essential to have a safe place to retreat to. Maybe this means creating your perfect cozy corner in your room that connects you to a sense of calm and getting into a good book/podcast—or creating a Zen sanctuary in your backyard that makes you forget about the chaos on the nightly news. Create a physical space that allows you to be your authentic self and unplug from the doom and gloom. Paint the walls, plant new trees or shrubs - surround yourself with beauty and items that prompt a sense of connectedness.
2. Move your body daily
Even if it is just a quick 5-minute walk in your neighbour or stretching with your kid on the playroom floor – move your body. When we move our bodies, our brains create good feeling chemicals – a reward for being in motion. Hop on an online fitness/yoga class or go for a waterfront walk with a friend. This will help against the languishing feeling of being stuck on that treadmill of emptiness and stagnation. Movement helps us physically and mentally.
3. Talk it out
Many people instinctively think that if they avoid talking about their negative feelings, those feelings will go away. I wish that trick worked. I’ll get to the punchline quickly – it doesn’t. Feelings come up as a way of notifying us that something is happening to us – feelings tell us when we like something or when we need to be cautious in our surroundings. Ignoring feelings will intensify them – kind of like when we raise our voices when someone doesn’t respond to us. Feelings will get bigger and louder to make sure they get recognized.
So, talk it out – to a family member, loved one, counsellor, religious mentor, trusted co-worker, or even a pet. Talking about your feelings will help you feel connected to others and make sense of all the changes that are happening so rapidly.
4. Do things you like to do or pick up a new hobby
I know this seems obvious – but doing activities (with people you like or solo) that you enjoy is vital for cultivating a life that you find rewarding and fulfilling. Yes, there are restrictions to many activities, but focusing only on the limits will enhance feelings of powerlessness and frustration. Figure out which rewarding activities/hobbies you can do and make sure you find time to enjoy them. Some people are becoming bakers, others are learning about trading stocks. I have been taking ukulele lessons and got a COVID puppy. He is adorable, and if you do online sessions with me, you might get a glimpse of him.
5. Talk to your doctor about medication
I know many people get nervous about medication. There is a lot of stigma and misinformation about medication that can make it seem scary. In reality, medication can be a valuable tool that works well for most people. If you are doing everything else you can to kick the COVID blues, and sadness/anxiety/stress still gets in the way of you being to do daily life – start the conversation with your doctor about medication that can help. The winter can be challenging in the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. Get the help that you deserve to have.
If you would like support getting started with any of these steps, please reach out to us at Panorama Wellness Group. We have a variety of therapists and a holistic nutritionist who want to help you reach your goals for healthy living.
