The End of the Pandemic is In Sight, and It’s Time to Start Healing
It’s been a tumultuous year for the planet. As we navigate through a world ravaged by a pandemic, many of us remain oblivious to the build-up of anxiety and stress and the effects on our short-term and long-term health. A good night’s sleep is a distant memory, we’re short on patience, and we feel overwhelmed at the most minor obstacles.
COVID-19 has affected millions, directly and indirectly. We’ve recovered from infection, we’ve watched as family members suffer, and we’ve mourned the loss of millions who have succumbed to the disease. We have also transitioned into unfamiliar territory with social distancing, lockdowns, and feeling isolated in work-from-home scenarios; each one a drastic, stress-inducing lifestyle adjustment for many.
The vaccines are rolling out, and the end is in sight, but we shouldn’t wait for a still distant future to start the healing process. The time for developing good habits is now, and when the pandemic finally does lift, we will wave good riddance to the final vestiges of the trauma we have endured.
The Importance of Self-Care
Stress can be a huge motivation killer for regular exercise. If you have been neglecting your physical fitness routines, don’t force yourself into them all at once. Instead, focus on getting yourself back into the mindset you were in before the world imploded. The exercise will come easier when you know you’re ready.
Develop a self-care routine that will assist with restoring balance to your emotional and mental fitness. Work into it gradually, and when you start realizing the improvements move on to the next.
Try dancing gently to your favorite music, take a nature walk, or play fetch with your dog. You could also try some gentle yoga moves to reacclimate your body to physical activity. Even just a few minutes a day will improve your sleep and mental focus.
Unbottle Your Feelings
Suppressing emotions always has a cost on our mental and physiological well-being. For instance, when you fail to express your anger and frustration, it can linger as resentment and irritation. When we are sad and don’t mourn, it can lead to more severe depression.
Pencil some me-time in your daily routine where you can uncork the bottle and let your emotions flow free until there’s nothing left. When you are done, you will feel unshackled, as if a great burden has been lifted. Letting yourself feel your emotions is also good practice for expressing them when you need to.
Here are a few ideas you can try to release your pent-up emotions:
- Shouting into pillows or giving them a good punch.
- Setting aside a time where you can explore your worries and anxieties.
- Keeping a journal where you write down your feelings unfettered by judgment.
Stay In Touch
It’s critical for you to keep in mind that you are not alone even when the world is in crisis. Even though we know the whole world is in the same position, it can be hard not to feel separated from society somehow.
However, the healing process cannot truly begin until we connect with others. Visit an old friend, volunteer at a charity that helps people in need, or see how your neighbor is doing. You could also join classes or activities where you will make new friends while learning something new.
Another strategy you can use that has helped thousands of people during the pandemic is therapy. Counseling from a trained professional will help free you from the stresses, anxiety, and trauma of your past so the real you can shine.
For more information about how you can start living your best life, visit this page: Trauma Treatment