2020 is a year that will certainly go down in history, considering everything that has unexpectedly occurred over the last three months. After undergoing a global pandemic, unemployment, mandatory shelter in place, and riots, you may have started to feel vulnerable feelings such as anger, panic, grief, sadness, and uncertainty—which may have caused trauma to emerge. More than ever, this is a time that you will need to be compassionate with yourself to endure the angst. The longer these historical events continue to exist, the more you will need to implement gentle coping skills during these trying times.
Try relaxation.
When you start going down a rabbit hole of fear, the best thing you can do is try to relax enough to breathe. Meditation, exercise, yoga, and mindfulness are ways to help you learn how to breathe during a time of crisis. With your breath being taken away by the weight of the world, stopping to take a moment to breathe into the present moment will provide the calmness and clarity to make good decisions.
Try connection.
Although you might feel more comfortable isolating, when times get tough, you need to have others in your life to reach out to. Call your sponsor or friend when you feel like life is spinning out of control. Even though you may not be ready for them to solve what you are going through, having support and encouragement can help you change your perspective to something more positive.
Try advocation.
If you get to the point that you feel like you cannot stop the emotional crisis you are experiencing, you may need to seek additional help. Participating in therapy could make the difference between being able to face the trauma or suffering through it. A mental health professional could be a guiding relief if you are having difficulty sleeping, eating, concentrating, going outside, or encountering mood swings. If you already have preexisting conditions, such as addiction, anxiety, depression, or trauma, getting assistance will guide you in this situation, as well as future circumstances.
Life on life’s terms will always be something to contend with. Moving forward through 2020 will hopefully allow you to acquire tools to become gentler with yourself during a time that may seem overwhelming. Rather than silently suffering alone, you can be generous and gentle with yourself to get through this adverse time and come out stronger than ever.
At The Guest House Ocala, our recovery programs include many experiential modalities, including traditional therapy, conscious connected breathwork, equine therapy, somatic experiencing, art in healing, grief therapy, mindfulness, and other forms of therapy.
Call 855-372-1079 today for more information.