In my personal life, I have had a long successful marriage and have remarried following my husband’s death. I have had three sons and helped raise a niece for three years and have seven grandchildren. I have loved spending time with them as they were growing up.
I also enjoy getting together with family and friends, ATVing in the mountains, photography, hiking, and traveling. I also enjoy reading, creating art, decorating and serving others by volunteering.
Assisting couples in re-building their marriages has been so rewarding as I’ve had the privilege of seeing hundreds of couples reunite and get back to being positively connected to one another.
I also work with personal development and those who want to move forward by making positive improvements such as goal setting, self-care, boundaries, behavioral improvements, overcoming procrastination, conflict management, etc.
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Wondering what you can do during this time of uncertainty? Right now, it happens to be the pandemic but it could be something else that is huge in your life whether or not it is a huge deal for someone else.
When I originally wrote this way back in March, I had no idea at that time that this situation with the virus would turn out to affect our whole planet so disastrously. At that time, I wrote to my followers and shared with my friends that I was sincerely hoping everyone was doing well in spite of our surreal circumstances.
I shared my thoughts that many of you might be having some similar experiences to mine.
When I’m very busy and focused on helping others with life challenges, I can temporarily “forget” what’s happening as I’m in my same office seeing and hearing some of you on my computer screen.
When finished with a client, I then go back to the required new normal way of living life right now and keeping safe.
I’m missing getting together in person with family and friends, clients, and colleagues but thankful for the HIPAA compliant video service that enables me to still help clients.
I found this great article written by Sarah Reichert, a clinical social worker in Behavioral Health in Red Wing, Minnesota, and shared on the Mayo Clinic website.
The COVID-19 pandemic can feel overwhelming due to new information, long work hours, and caring for your family and yourself. It’s important to pause for a moment and collect your thoughts, as worldwide pandemics can be taxing. Remaining calm can help.
It is normal to feel stressed or overwhelmed during uncertain times. Emotions in response to uncertainty may include anxiety, fear, anger, and sadness. You also could feel helpless, discouraged, and occasionally, out of control. Physical responses may include headache, muscle tension, fatigue, and sleeplessness.
Taking care of yourself is important so you are equipped to help your family through this time.
Here are a few tips you can use to help you take care of yourself:
Physical health:
- Fuel your body by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water.
- Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
- Exercise every day.
- Take deep breaths and stretch often.
- Avoid risky or destructive behaviors, such as abusing alcohol or drugs, excessive gambling or ignoring public health recommendations.
- Spend time outside, such as going for a walk in the park, but follow social distancing guidelines.
Mental health:
- Set and maintain a routine at home.
- Focus on things you can control.
- Use technology to maintain social connections with your loved ones.
- Consider a regular check-in schedule to give you something to look forward to.
- Focus your thoughts on the present and things to be grateful for today.
- Listen to music or read books.
- Consume reliable news sources that report facts, and avoid media that sensationalized emotions.
- Limit your exposure or take a break from news and social media if you find that it makes you anxious.
- Lean on your personal beliefs and faith for support.
- Look for ways to help your community, such as blood donations, checking on older people in your neighborhood, or donating supplies or money to local organizations.
- Acknowledge and appreciate what others are doing to help you and your community.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Trouble focusing on daily activities
- Anxiety that turns into feelings of being out of control
- Strong feelings that interfere with daily activities
- Having emotions that become difficult to manage
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
In closing,
Be sure to reach out for help from friends, medical professionals or mental health professionals to get the help you need. Help is available!
One of the positive things that is happening in the midst of this time, is that it can help us be reminded of the things that really matter in this world.
We can see such contrasts in those who are sharing and giving during this hard time while among others we can see the dark side of humanity.
Let’s all keep helping one another and look forward to better days ahead.
Right now, I am focusing on the things that really matter like relationships and my faith which is my biggest strength of all and gives me peace and hope for that perfect world many look forward to one of these days!