It is undeniable that the current national state of emergency has caused a lot of anxiety and concern about the future. Unfortunately, across the country, our state of distress was only amplified with media reports of civil unrest. How do we practice mental health self-care while in a state of national distress?
We will need to find ways to remove or protect ourselves while being exposed to highly emotional states. As I’ve stated in the past, I’m not suggesting that you isolate yourself on a deserted island (by avoiding people and media) or ignore reasonable, global warnings. In fact, isolation would be counterproductive to resiliency, since interpersonal connection and support are key to helping our bodies deal with stress. The goal is to learn ways to prevent emotional contagion (experiencing another person's emotions or related behaviors), such as:
- Learning to relax your body as you listen to highly emotionally charged information
- Staying positive (if appropriate, smiling can help)
- Trying a news fast. Once you are informed of the situation, take a break from additional news or media
- Surrounding yourself with things that make you happy
- Finding meaning by reflecting and being grateful for all experiences, both positive and negative
Resource:The Resilient Learner: Thriving and Succeeding in College - https://publish1st.com/dr-aubrey
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