Editor
15-Jun-2020
Mental health is being spoken of everywhere and finally getting the awareness that was so required. If you are finding yourself very dys-regulated or wrapped in turmoil, do not hesitate to seek support and help, now is the time more than ever. Clinically Trained Psychotherapists and Mental Health Consultant Alaokika Bharwani tell you few ways to cope up in these challenging times.
A part of anxiety is also a feeling of grief and loss in these unprecedented times. This new reality is marked with much uncertainty and this prolonged uncertainty gives rise to so much anxiety, fear and sadness. Where do we go from here? What will the world look like tomorrow? Will we ever get to hug our loved ones? Our jobs, our livelihoods. "This world, it’s too much “- I’m hearing this so frequently than ever, and more so with my clients. And I don’t even disagree, it is “too much”!
There are small joys that we need to turn towards and to find ways to process the grief. The connections we need to lean into and the support we need to give and receive. Grief expert David Kessler speaks of the 5 stages of grief which are- Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. It is important to remember that grief is a normal reaction to a loss and many of us are feeling some or all of the above along with anxiety, fear, shock, numbness, and anger. But the truth is that there are silver linings too. It is seen that people tend to get stronger and more resilient after facing grief once the place of acceptance has been reached. Most people who have suffered any global crisis or tragedy like the holocaust, genocide, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, have often reflected and said that it has helped them the most to find meaning through their grief and loss. And if we can find our unique meaning through this crisis, we may find ourselves on the other side richer and wiser in our wisdom.
Some ways in which we can find our silver linings during these challenging times...
Gratitude- Good old gratitude often quoted and not practiced enough. Let us start noticing what is going well and nurture it.
Accept all your feelings- Remember that all your feelings are valid. There is no right or wrong way to feel at this time. Practice kindness and compassion towards oneself and others.
Social Support- More than ever people are reaching out and there is a strong sense of community that is emerging. Reach out virtually to your friends and loved ones. What will tide us through these times is our sense of connection with others.
Creativity- Is at its peak! Hobbies that were kept at the back burner are all coming out of the human closet. Skills that are part of our past generations are finally emerging. Cooking, gardening, music, sewing and so many others.
Find Support- Lastly mental health is being spoken of everywhere and finally getting the awareness that was so required. If you are finding yourself very dys-regulated or wrapped in turmoil, do not hesitate to seek support and help. The interesting thing is that while all physical borders have been sealed our virtual borders have all opened. There are many therapists offering free online counseling. Go have that chat that you have only been thinking of, now is the time more than ever.
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