No matter if our world consists of our family, our community or on a much larger scale other countries, When there is a life change our lives are impacted in many different ways. As we are seeing with the pandemic and effects it is having on us and the world around us.
In a death loss or a life loss the impact of normalcy has changed and effects us . We are thrown into trying to hang onto what was normal, structured and predictable, and now facing nothing normal to cling to and things are looking strange and uncomfortable. ( new normal).
“New Normal” evokes emotions that range from fear, anxiety, anger, helplessness, confusion and deep sadness and depression. We are not used to coping with that many emotions, often several at a time. The result of having different and often new emotions can cause distress, not knowing how to deal with the emotions and having coping skills of survival. When faced with change we experience fear and anxiousness which can result in anger being expressed toward someone, often our loved ones or family. If we don’t process the emotion in a healthy way it may be repressed, causing depression and isolating.
The suggestion is to talk through the feelings. In this time of uncertainty and social isolation it is more difficult to reach out and find that safe person you are comfortable talking to. You may feel overwhelmed and have a sense of helplessness but sharing with someone helps give perspective. Talking with that person, a counsellor or a support worker is vital.
Make sure you are doing self care: adequate sleep, food , and hydration. Reducing alcohol consumption and drugs, though it eases the pain for the present without coping and working through the emotions the pain will still be there to be dealt with later. Find a way to exercise .A walk, working out at your home, relaxing your mind and body with some mindfulness breathing or yoga and listening to calming music playing music, art or journaling.
Lastly , spend a little time each day to find a gratitude and a positive thought and find an “Accountability Buddy” to share with. Write the gratitude on your calendar. The brain is affected in a positive healing way by doing this activity.
May you see each new day as the first day of the rest of your lives. The challenge is how will you spend it? We still have choices even when we are faced with “New Normal’s”. Make them good choices.
Submitted by: Shirley L Scott for Walking Through Grief Society
Supported by :FCSS – City of Lloydminster, Towns of Vermilion and Wainwright Villages of Kitscoty and Marwayne , County of Vermilion River and donations.
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