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You may say 'I cannot do this again'
You may say 'I am terrified.'
You are not alone. But in the moments of greatest tumult does come the opportunity for bravery above and beyond our greatest aspiration.
It is time to believe it, but we must be aware of #mentalhealth
You may say 'I am terrified.'
You are not alone. But in the moments of greatest tumult does come the opportunity for bravery above and beyond our greatest aspiration.
It is time to believe it, but we must be aware of #mentalhealth
The impact of #COVID19 's first wave is still becoming evident, and that of a new wave will add further still to the trauma we have all suffered. We must remember that the lack of control forced upon us is a direct attack on coping mechanisms and resilience.
It is important in the next weeks to months to place our #mentalhealth on the same plinth as our physical, to remember to take care of ourselves. I will not waste your time with platitudes, but actual ways to do this. The first is simple, listen to yourself and act.
If you feel overwhelmed, recognise it. There is no honour or applause for continuing to suffer without recognition, ask for help. You will thank yourself later for treating your own mind with the compassion you would the one you love. Check in with your emotions regularly.
Set boundaries for work. If you are being asked out of your comfort zone, raise it. Do not work beyond your capacity or what is fair. Do not let yourself burn out, it will help no one. You must survive this and have the same value as anyone else.
Sleep and eat well. We know that poor sleep and diet increases stress, anxiety and depression. The NHS has good information on diet and sleep hygiene, so get into the practice of sorting this early. This will do wonders for you, and provide comfort.
Keep your social support present. We need other humans, whether for emotional support or simply a natter. We know isolation hurts, and it walls us off from the world. Obviously we must use, in most cases, online medium for this, but it can still have value. Discussion breaks fear
If you suffer from a diagnosis, or begin to feel concerned you are developing illness, seek help early and safely. Let family know who can support you, and look for professional review. Catching things early can provide reversal in many cases, and we can help.
Enjoy media, take the time to focus on aspirations you have had to leave behind, get back in touch with who you are outside of work or career, read, dance, sing, build wooden buses, whatever works. Humans are meant to live, not simply survive.
Check in on friends and loved ones, have regular calls (even schedule them,) use online games (jackbox for example,) quizzes and zoom/skype. Remember that a community is built from familiarity, and can remind us of who and where we are.
Recognise polarised or catastrophic thinking and take a step back, write down your concerns and evaluate them against the optimistic outcome. Often you will find the reality is much better than the dark fantasy. If you are really struggling, ask for help.
And last but not least, remember this is temporary. No poetry will undo what is coming, but reality finds a way of carrying on regardless of our fears. This will end, and its up to you to put yourself in the best place you can, and if not, ask for help. We are here for you.