In our recent COVID days, I never believe people when they tell me they’re doing okay. No one is okay right now. We are in the middle of a pandemic. Everyone is struggling with loss of various kinds. In times of uncertainty and crisis, our standard operating procedures are disrupted. Our typical coping techniques that we take for granted are thrown off, and we experience stress.
Some minimize what they’re going through due to guilt. I’ve heard countless clients, friends, and colleagues share guilt about their difficulty in coping right now, saying things like “Yeah, it’s hard. But really I’m doing fine because I haven’t ______”. You can fill in the blank with anything. If we play the comparison game, no one would have the right to feel their true feelings.
But here’s the thing, pushing down our stress doesn’t help. It will come out one way or another, either through intermittent eruptions of stress or often through bodily symptoms of stress.
Here are just a few signs and symptoms of stress from Mass General’s Guide to Mental Health Resources:
Emotional and behavioral:
Anger and irritability
Guilt
Substance use or abuse
Social withdrawal
Increase in conflict
Blaming of others
Hopelessness or helplessness
Decreased sense of safety
Bodily or physical:
Feeling on edge or tense
Headaches
Low energy levels
Upset stomach- diarrhea, constipation, nausea, etc
Changes in sleep: Sleeping more, sleeping less, trouble falling or staying asleep
Changes in appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Aches and pains
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat.
Loss of sexual desire and/or ability.
Okay, I’m stressed. So what do I do now?
Stop comparing
Own your current circumstances. It’s okay to be upset even if you find yourself to be “better off” than others, whatever that may look like for you. We are experiencing a collective grief right now, and we are all united in our difficulty in coping. Admit your stress, reach out to others, and take care of yourself.
Focus on self care
During times of crisis, we need to be extra diligent in taking good care of ourselves. Here are a few suggestions from (SOURCE):
Reduce social isolation
Increase enjoyable physical activity
Practice good sleep hygiene
Do things that are enjoyable to you
Stay informed, with limits- focus on reputable sources, and limit your exposure to media
Practice radical acceptance- yoga, spiritual practices and meditation can be really helpful with this!
Talk about it!
Acknowledge your stress and talk about it with friends, family, or even a mental health professional. Therapists all over the country are meeting with clients online with HIPPA compliant platforms and are eager to support you. If you’re in Texas, I’d love to help you process- reach out by emailing me at jessica@jessicaglenntherapy.com
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash