It’s been one year since the State of Indiana shutdown in response to the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One year of unplanned transition.
One year of loss and grief.
One year of anxiety and stress.
One year of heartache and burden.
One year of strained relationships.
It certainly is a difficult “anniversary” to recognize. However the pandemic has affected you, we want you to know that The Willow Center is here for you when the going gets tough.
The phrase “when the going gets tough” may be better defined as “chronic stress.” Chronic stress is what most of us have been experiencing in the past year, and it can lead to different outcomes based upon how we typically cope with stress. It feels like tightness in your shoulders. It feels like fatigue, and difficulty focusing. It feels like worry and fear of the unknown / uncontrollable. Chronic stress does not feel good!
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Your body is hard-wired to react to stress in ways meant to protect you against threats from predators and other aggressors. Such threats are rare today, but that doesn’t mean that life is free of stress. On the contrary, you undoubtedly face multiple demands each day, such as taking on a huge workload, paying the bills and taking care of your family. Your body treats these so-called minor hassles as threats.” The added stress of the pandemic on top of this daily stress can truly overwhelm a person.
So, how do you cope?
For most of us, the easiest or most natural-feeling coping mechanisms are not always the healthiest. For example, sometimes we over-eat unhealthy foods and binge Netflix until our eyes are sore — or worse yet, we use alcohol or other drugs to numb our feelings. Ultimately, these negative coping mechanisms just make the feelings worse over time.
Instead, we encourage you to consider the following healthier coping mechanisms to help deal with the chronic stress you feel:
- Consider going for a walk or a bike ride! Light exercise for 15-30 minutes helps your brain release endorphins, which are responsible for reducing feelings of sadness and worry and increasing feelings of happiness and peace.
- Journal for 5-10 minutes each night about the most overwhelming feelings you have. Sometimes getting our feelings out on paper can help the burdens of the day feel lighter.
- Check your breathing! When we get stressed, or are chronically stressed, our breathing tends to be quick and shallow which teaches our brain to stay in alert-mode. Try slowing your breathing down for a few minutes, and notice the way breathing more intentionally feels.
- Last but not least, if you feel like your stress or overwhelming feelings are inhibiting your daily life and relationships, consider reaching out to The Willow Center for counseling. We are here for you, and there is NO shame in asking for help! 317-852-3690.
As the season grows warmer and sunnier, as vaccines are further distributed, and as the economy begins to build back up, we believe wholeheartedly that the best is yet to come. You are not alone — not last year and not ever! We are in this together.
-written by Chase Cotten, Executive Director
