MENTAL HEALTH --- THE NEXT VIRUS WAVE
“I’m safe but I’m not ok. I need to talk to you.”
As the days go by, I believe we’re going to hear more comments like this one: “I’m safe but I’m not ok,” The next virus wave is hitting us like a tsunami after an earthquake– the impact on our mental health.
We’ve all been surviving through this pandemic by going through the stages of grief, whether we realize it or not. Denial, depression and anger arise as we struggle to deal with loss.
Yes, we’re going through grief because we’ve experienced loss – loss of life as we knew it, loss of contact with other humans, and perhaps scariest of all, loss of control. There’s so much going on we can’t control -- the virus sweeping the world, lock-down orders and the new reality of quarantine. It’s no wonder people don’t feel ok because we humans tend to catastrophize the unknown.
The impact of such loss can be overwhelming. We undoubtedly know someone who has caught the virus or has loved ones affected and they can’t go near them, can’t offer the comfort of their presence or a steadying hand. During such times, stress, fear and grief impact the immune system as an overload of cortisol bombards the mind.
There are other risk factors which arise during such times as well.
Dr. Hunter Kennedy, Executive Director of Colorado Footprints for Recovery, stated “isolation is one of the components for usage and addiction.” And Vincent Atchity, CEO of Mental Health Colorado emphasized the importance of dealing with our mental health: “This particular crisis really drives the message home that our physical health and our mental health are not two separate things. They are, in fact, two sides of the very same coin. Our thoughts, our beliefs and our faith make up the glue that holds us and society together.”
Now’s the time to focus on what we can control, what we are in charge of, and keep in mind these tips:
1. Normalize the emotions – it’s ok to feel and go through all the stages of grief.
2. Take back control of the part of the world you can – that’s pretty much all inside your head. Remember, your brain is the #1 organ responsible for your immune system, and we need a strong immune system to withstand the mental and physical toil of the upcoming days, weeks and months. You might be isolated, but you can face-time friends and family. You may not be able to see other people at work, church or school, but you can take an on-line class or join the rest of us in learning how to operate Zoom 😊 As you control those parts of your world, the world outside won’t seem so frightening.
3. Protect and feed your mind – You can get all the critical, necessary information you need in 3 minutes. This is not the time to insatiably feed on news coverage of the latest crisis. Instead of being tormented by the “what if’s,” spend time remembering “what is.” Recording three new things to be grateful for each day might be the start of a new habit which will serve you long beyond this time of crisis.
4. Nourish your physical body – eating lots of comfort foods might feel reassuring somehow as we “stress bake” and binge on Netflix series. This is the week to start the exercise routine, even if it’s in a different place. This is the week to eat healthy foods and experiment with some new recipes using coconut flour and dates, for example, instead of sugar and flour.
5. Don’t forget your spiritual regimen – that time you spend with God in prayer and in His Word will bring calmness to your spirit and harmony to your being.
I am heartened to hear of restaurants providing meals to hospital workers and that more people are watching church services online. People are sharing and becoming creative in all sorts of ways.
That simply tells me: The times that try men’s souls are the times we have opportunities to rise and shine.