Covid/Coronavirus

During this covid/coronavirus pandemic, we may feel alone, scared, anxious or depressed.  All of these feelings can be okay and may actually move along the grieving process with the loss of power.  If these feelings become intrusive and hinder one’s ability to operate their daily tasks, it can help to look at what one does and does not have control over.  Some of the things one may have control over is how much one may watch the news, participate in social media, eat, and sleep.  Some of the things to consider that one may not control are the government’s choices regarding the pandemic.  Some healthy ways to cope can be to start a new skill, reach out online to chat with friends, read a good book, and exercise. 

*This blog is not intended to treat those that read this information and readers will not be considered clients in treatment by or with the writer.

Holiday Stress and Seasons Greetings

Remember the holidays can be a time for increased stress.  There can be increased expectations on ourselves from ourselves as well as expectations set by others.  Sometimes this stress is in our awareness and sometimes it is not. It can be felt in our bodies with increased muscle tension or decreased health - just to name a few.  To cope, some may drink or use, which can sometimes be a subconscious controlled way to get relief from the tension in a familiar way.  Others may cope by keeping their needs quiet to themselves and others, which also might be familiar.  Remembering that there are other ways to cope and an awareness of these processes can sometimes alleviate the holiday tension.  Ways to cope could be setting boundaries with oneself (e.g., self-care and speaking up internally) and setting boundaries with others.  A book on setting boundaries is Codependent No More by Melody Beattie.  She also created an app with a calendar of daily excerpts for those on the go.

*This blog is not intended to treat those that read this information and readers will not be considered clients in treatment by or with the writer.