{"id":3521,"date":"2020-05-11T14:37:32","date_gmt":"2020-05-11T18:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/griefjourney.com\/?page_id=3521"},"modified":"2020-10-22T00:59:15","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T00:59:15","slug":"responding-to-stressful-events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/griefjourney.com\/life-in-challenging-times\/responding-to-stressful-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Responding to Stressful Events"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Responding to Stressful Events<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Here are a few suggestions and strategies to help you implement all these principles:<\/p>

Focus on what you CAN do rather than on the things you can\u2019t.<\/p>

Encourage verbal expression of thoughts and feelings.<\/p>

Provide predictable bedtime routines.<\/p>

Encourage indoor physical activities.<\/p>

Encourage communication with friends via phone, email, text messaging, or other social media outlets.<\/p>

a) Establish a routine<\/strong><\/h3>

Structure has to become a habit. As the old saying has it: \u201cSow an act, and you reap a habit<\/strong>; Sow a habit<\/strong>, and you reap a character;<\/p>

Provide structured but undemanding home chores and activities. Keep yourself on a flexible routine of some type. For example, get out of bed at a similar time each day; get out of your sleep wear into comfortable daytime clothing; set a \u201cshower schedule\u201d; have regular mealtimes, establish set \u201cwork times\u201d, (your own \u20189-5\u2019!) whether working at home, kids doing schoolwork, reading etc., tackling a project; or having a scheduled break or exercise time; then going to bed nightly at regular hours.<\/p>

Having a general, albeit loosely structured schedule will help to keep your spirits up as the weeks go on, and give you a surprising sense of safety and security.<\/p>

If at all possible, getting some time outside daily can have a huge impact on your mental health. If walking makes you feel more anxious because of maintaining physical distancing, just standing on a balcony or in your backyard for a few minutes in the sunshine can improve your mood.<\/p>

b) Be social<\/strong><\/h3>

Checking in with others through technology or phone calls is important. We all need social support, and just hearing a human voice can remind us that the world outside of our home still exists. If you’re used to having a coffee with a co-worker each morning, or chatting to family in the evening, why not set up some virtual (Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype or Face Time) meetings for those times where you’re able to be connected.<\/p>

c) Take breaks from social media and the news<\/strong><\/h3>

Staying informed on developments within your own country and across the world is important, but try to monitor and limit media exposure to traumatic events and horrifying headlines which can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Over exposure to such scenes and events can in itself be traumatic. Limit your news intake to \u201conce or twice a day\u201d from reputable news sources where you get accurate, up-to-date information.<\/p>

When you talk to family and friends, keep your conversations to things other than COVID 19. Talk to them about the silly things you’ve been reading or watching on TV, or perhaps some happy memories of better days. Send jokes or funny things that appear on social media.<\/p>

However, this doesn\u2019t mean you should not<\/em><\/strong> talk to loved ones about your stresses and how you\u2019re holding up during this crisis. It\u2019s really a matter of finding a balance.<\/p>

d) Engage in \u201cactive diversion,\u201d rather than \u201cpassive distraction\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>

When we are overwhelmed by situations, having downtime where you don\u2019t have to \u201cthink\u201d is important, and watching TV or movies can be great for that.<\/p>

But also try to include some active diversions that not only distract and relax you, but also engage your brain. So pulling out a board game, doing a puzzle, or finishing an old craft project that engages your thought processes can help take away some of the feelings of helplessness people can experience in this time. Maybe this is the time to tackle those \u201cI\u2019ll do it when I have the time\u201d projects.<\/p>

e) Maintain a positive outlook<\/strong><\/h3>

Focus on positive things. Keep a sense of humour. \u00a0Structure fun and\/or absorbing activities into your day, such as exercise, reading, writing, or organizing \u2026 and calling your friends. Maintain your normal daily routine. Exercise, eat well and rest. Find comfort in your personal spiritual beliefs.<\/p>

Conclusion:<\/strong><\/h3>

Thank you for \u201changing in\u201d with me through these blogs.<\/p>

Let me leave you with a story:<\/p>

One dark and stormy night, a sea captain saw what he thought were the lights of another ship heading straight towards him through the fog. He had his signalman blink a message to the oncoming vessel, \u201cChange your course 10 degrees north.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

A reply came back, \u201cChange your course 10 degrees south!\u201d<\/em><\/p>

Somewhat indignant, the sea captain answered, \u201cI am a captain, and I order you to change your course north.\u201d The response was instantaneous, \u201cI am just a seaman first class, but I order you, sir, to change your course 10 degrees south.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

By now the sea captain was furious. \u201cI said change your course north. I\u2019m on a battleship.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

To which a final reply came back. \u201cAnd I said change your course south. <\/em><\/p>

I\u2019m in a lighthouse!<\/strong>\u201d<\/em><\/p>

The moral of the story is this. There are some things you can change, and others you cannot. We may not be able to change what is happening in our world these days. But we can decide how we are going to allow ourselves to be affected by whatever happens.<\/p>

We cannot change the circumstances we find ourselves in. But the good news is that you get to choose what you are going to do about the circumstances, whatever happens.<\/p>

And so, as Queen Elizabeth famously said in her recent speech: \u201cWe will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again.\u201d<\/p>

Till then I wish you all well. Please take comfort wherever you can find it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Live in Challenging Times Topics:<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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