By now, you certainly don’t need anyone to inform you that we’re living in a time period of previously unseen upheaval and change. A deadly global pandemic is in the process of irrevocably changing life across the planet. The economic fallout of the pandemic response is sure to be felt for years.
In the midst of such turmoil, we get yet another ugly reminder of the systemic racism within our society. Understandably, all of this adds up to widespread stress on a collective and individual basis. We’re trying to stay safe and maintain financial stability — without sacrificing our empathy and core values. It’s a tall order.
Stress and COVID-19
Months have passed since the word “coronavirus” intruded upon our daily existence. Regardless of where you live, it remains a presence in one way or another. As many as 1 in 7 Americans now know someone who has succumbed to this terrible disease. The long-term impact on our mental, physical, economic, and societal health is incalculable.
Stress and Racism
In good times or bad, in times of sickness or wellness, systemic racism is ever-present. For people of color, it shapes and challenges their existence. For empathetic allies, it may feel less directly present. But it undoubtedly has a stressful impact on anyone who values equality and justice. Recent events have thrust the reality of structural racism into the realm of “trending.” Even as we worry about the second wave of COVID-19, we are staring face to face at a societal ill that has never gone away.
4 Ways to Cope With Unprecedented Stress
1. Daily Self-Care
Your healing and recovery can and will spring from the basics, e.g. regular sleep patterns, healthy eating habits, relaxation techniques, and daily exercise/activity. Stress management starts with just the smallest steps.
2. Find Kindred Spirits and Mentors
You are not alone. Everyone is struggling with the pandemic. People of color have been dealing with racism since, well… forever. This means you can find friends and teachers everywhere and thus, unified progress is always possible.
3. Educate Yourself
Headlines and hashtags are cleverly designed to get attention. This goal does not always coincide with accuracy. Take time to fact-check. Dedicate yourself to learning, growing, evolving, and remaining open-minded. Team up with some of the kindred spirits discussed above to share what you’ve discovered.
4. Recognize Uncharted Territory When You See It
The thing about uncharted territory is that no one has a roadmap. This means that no one has it figured out. Cut yourself and others some slack. We’re traveling the same rough terrain, we may not be at our best right now. What matters more than having all the answers is our commitment to asking new questions and allowing time and space for discovery.
You might be tense about when how your post-pandemic life will play out. You might be wondering how to address anti-racism in your community. Take time to weigh safe and productive options. Commit to these difficult challenges with a blend of patience, compassion, and self-compassion.
In-Person or Via Video Chat: Help is Available
Once you’ve made the self-loving choice to cut yourself some slack, it becomes easier to ask for help. You are not uniquely flawed or vulnerable. Rather, you are a human being, alive in 2020, and that alone is reason not to go it alone.
Working regularly with a counselor can create an excellent foundation for stress management in your life. It can also help you identify behavior and thought patterns that may unintentionally add to the tension and anxiety. A pandemic of disease and/or social ills are too big for any single person to address without support.
Community and cooperation matter in the fight to do better and feel better. And sometimes, the foundational type of action that takes place between you and your therapist is the best place to begin. Please read more about stress management counseling and contact me soon for a consultation.
