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How Do We Respond to the Reopening of America?

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • May 14, 2020
  • 3 min read

It has been a few months now since we first learned of the pandemic of Coronavirus. Even though it doesn’t look like we are experiencing a slowdown of the virus, people are getting desperate to work again and receive a paycheck. Although understandable, how dangerous is this? We understand that we are fighting an invisible foe and yet we think that if we can’t see it - we won’t get it.

Our response to the pandemic is product of our race, age, socioeconomic status, where you live, and whether or not there are children in the house. For many who don’t understand the danger of COVID-19, they probably haven’t been touched personally by the loss of life in family and friends. But there are others who terrified of the consequences that the opening of America could bring. For them, their sense of security in everyday life has vanished.

The National Alliance of Mental Illness observes Mental Health Awareness Month throughout May. Researchers at Michigan State University counsel and teach about wellness, resiliency and support for vulnerable populations. In this crisis they see the typical response of an increase in stress, anxiety, depression, substance use and post-traumatic stress disorder. Their focus in research is to help us understand that there are things that we can do to help ourselves. We do have some control in this uncontrollable situation.

Skills We Can Use to Help Us Get Through This Crisis

We can practice skills rooted in stress management, mindfulness and self-compassion. It is important for all of us to recognize that this is truly a stressful situation. Setting up a routine of exercise, eating right, and regulating sleep will strengthen your body and your mind to manage these stressors.

We need to practice self-kindness. Draw on your background experience to know that you can survive this. Use the tools you learned in the past to get you through this critical time. Believe that you can get through this – it is within your power. Doubting your abilities with thoughts that you cannot do this only makes your situation worse. Talking to yourself in a calm reassuring manner will reduce anxiety.

Distance yourself from your thoughts. For example – when experiencing an anxious thought, notice it, name it, then release it. You don’t need to buy in to the thought; instead, stay focused on the present moment. (The Conversation, May 12, 2020)

Jumping into the future causes unnecessary worry – there are no knowns about the future, and you would be wasting your time worrying about it. You only have knowledge and control about the here and now.

Do yourself a big favor and reduce the amount of media you take in. We have 24/7 access to everything – all news and stories good and bad. This raises our fear level to an uncontrollable range. We don’t need to be obsessed about things we cannot control. We need to be aware of what we need to do but we don’t have to fall through the rabbit hole of news coverage.

So, as you start to venture outside your home and start to see other people, keep common sense topmost in your mind. We don’t know what will happen next, but we can fortify our resilience and mental health. Believe that you can manage your way through the coronavirus. Stay in the here and now and stay mentally and physically healthy.

Reference

Finkelstein, C., Johnson, J., Felton, J. (May 12, 2020). As reopening begins in uncertain coronavirus times, you need emotional protective equipment, too. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/as-reopening-begins-in-uncertain-coronavirus-times-you-need-emotional-protective-equipment-too-137695?utm_medium=email&utm_c....

 
 
 

Comments


We are already into June! I am not moving as fast as time apparently. I am just preparing for the “lazy, hazy days of summer”.

June is anything but lazy.  This is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.  This month brings to light the value of living a brain healthy lifestyle, the importance of early detection, and the support that is available for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

The FDA approved the blood test that detects Alzheimer’s disease and identifies what stage of the disease is present.  These tests will be available in doctor’s offices.  What does this mean?  Diagnosing Alzheimer’s was a bit of hit or miss because the methods of diagnosis were complicated and not definitive.  The primary care doctor had to figure out what specialist to refer the patient and lose more diagnostic time trying to get them an appointment.  Determining how far the disease had progressed was even more of a challenge.  With this blood test, immediate results and staging allows immediate, appropriate care to be initiated.  In the early stages of the disease a person can maintain a higher quality of life for a longer period.

The Alzheimer’s Association National Event – Outshine the Darkness of Alzheimer’s.  The Longest Day is celebrated on June 21, the summer solstice.

This is a global effort to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, with participants choosing activities they love to do while fundraising.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) promotes a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by highlighting the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

National Safety Month includes safety measures for seniors – fall prevention, safe medication use, home safety modifications. Check with you local Area Agency on Aging for information.

 

Over the past few years, I have had a friend, Carol Meyer, who has been a part of My Boomer Brain.  Carol has her own publication, InFlow that is published quarterly.  It is amazing.  InFlow Magazine - Your Digital Dose of Inspiration is just that.  She has chosen some of my blogs to publish in InFlow and I am grateful.  She wants me to extend an invitation to look at InFlow for yourself.  Here is the link and access information:

https://inflowmagazine.gumroad.com/l/Issue11

Scroll to ‘Name a fair price’

Enter ‘0’ in the ‘name a fair price’ field to get it for free

Click ‘I want this’ and follow the prompts

 

With summer just around the corner, I’m booking online and in-person presentations for July.  Topics are varied and topical, ranging from memory care, the aging brain, brain health, cognitive resilience, and many more.  If you are interested in organizing an event or want to discuss how brain health can be integrated into your community or organization, please reach out to me directly at patricia@myboomerbrain.com

 

Finally, if you are looking for more in-depth strategies and a roadmap to better health, I encourage you to explore my book, The Boomer Brain. It is a resource designed for anyone over 40 who wants to understand how lifestyle choices impact cognitive aging and what you can do to keep your brain sharp for years to come.  Find it on Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1962133613

 

Slow down your time and enjoy the laid-back pace of summer. 

Pat

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