GRACE AND HOPE CONSULTING
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Meet Our Founder - Chou Hallegra
    • Blog
  • INDIVIDUALS
    • Therapeutic Groups
    • Coaching
  • ORGANIZATIONS
    • Professional Development
    • Inclusion Support
    • Mental Health Consultation
  • BOOKS
    • Books by Chou & Friends
    • PUBLISHING


BLOG
Spreading Hope
Sharing Resources
Empowering You
Doing Life Together

COVID Mental Trauma: 6 Steps to Protecting Yourself

2/20/2021

0 Comments

 
By Chou Hallegra, MA, CFTP, CCFP, CGCS
Picture
According to the Washington Post, “Nearly half of Americans report the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll. A federal emergency hotline for people in emotional distress registered a more than 1,000 percent increase in April compared with the same time last year. Last month, roughly 20,000 people texted that hotline, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.”

It’s terrifying to realize a pandemic such as a coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading worldwide. The different stages of a pandemic can provide panic and anxiety. No one knows just how widespread or deadly the novel coronavirus will end up being. 

Feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty are normal emotions during a difficult situation such as the world is currently experiencing. But being proactive about your mental health can help to keep your mind and body healthy. In the following information, we have detailed information on ways to protect yourself. 

One of the first steps you can take is to recognize the things you can control. You are practicing self-care, such as seeking professional help from a licensed mental health professional and finding ways to manage stress. Your means of coping with stress and anxiety go a long way in managing your mental health. Here are some ways to help you ease the tension surrounding COVID-19.

Practice Good Self-Care

Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in some form of exercise are always reasonable steps to helping you stay as physically and psychologically fit as possible during stressful times. 

Good self-care also keeps your immune system healthy, which means eating well, sleeping well, and managing stress. 

Piece Of Mind

Practice recommendations from the Centers For Disease Control, The World Health Organization, and other excerpts to curtail transmission of Covid include wearing a mask when going out, keeping at least a 6-foot distance from others, and washing your hands regularly. 
If you live in an area where the Covid infection rates are very high, try to stay home as much as possible, and when do you go out to practice the methods of safety detailed above. There are always steps you can take to decrease risk. Be aware that steps like washing your hands, wearing a mask, and keeping social distance remind you to focus on the things you can control. 
Knowing you are doing everything possible to keep yourself and your family safe gives a lot of peace of mind. 

Professional Help

If your mental health is being affected by the stress and anxiety of COVID-19, you may need to seek the help of mental health professional. A licensed mental health professional can help you manage stress while allowing you to make the best decisions for yourself and your family. The good news is thousands of therapists are now using remote methods, such as video conferencing, so you can talk to someone right from home. 

High anxiety and stress can cause some people to adopt unproven or unsafe prevention methods. Some of these methods can be harmful to yourself and others. It’s essential to make sure any actions you take are genuinely beneficial.

Develop An Action Plan

Be aware that increased depression and anxiety are probably going to occur. So, plan for it. When you start to feel sad, overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious, talk with someone, write about it, just get it out, do not let it fester inside of you. Be prepared and make a plan. Who will I talk to? Keep a notebook handy for journaling. 

Another critical issue is that children often adopt the coping strategies they observe in their parents. Parents who show anxiety and stress during a pandemic may end up projecting the fear right along to their loved ones.

Read News From Trustworthy Sources And Limit Media Consumption

Avoid media outlets that provoke stress or focus on issues that we can’t control. Instead, turn to sources that give reliable information. One reputable source is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They provide helpful tips to keep you and your family safe during these unprecedented times. 

Watching media stories about how fast an illness is spreading or the death toll will increase stress and anxiety. Limit your media consumption to a specific time frame or a certain number of stories.
It is helpful to stay informed, but you shouldn't allow yourself to be bombarded with anxiety-provoking news all day. The most important actions are to keep you and your loved ones as adequately informed, calm, and healthy as possible.
Watch this Video
COVID and PTSD
Remember one thing, and humans are strong; we will get through this. It is not forever, and most importantly, do not project what has not yet happened. If you are healthy and safe, don’t worry about what might happen, stay in the moment, and enjoy the present.

Have you been feeling like your life is spiraling out of control?

It’s not uncommon for people to feel this way, especially through a difficult time just like now with COVID around. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways to protect yourself against the mental trauma that it brings and get back on track again.

You deserve happiness and peace of mind in your life, so don't wait any longer! Contact me today to learn how I can help you find balance and stability in your life. I will work with you one-on-one or as part of a group setting to create an individualized plan tailored just for you!


Click the box for free consultation!
FREE CONSULTATION

Book features this week: 
Picture
Picture
Related Blog Posts
  • 9 Ways A Good Therapist Can Help You Resolve Your Issues
  • Healthy Distractions for Mental Peace During Times of Distress
  • How to Prevent Getting Depressed During Times Of Fear & Uncertainty
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Chou is a best-selling Author, a Transformational Speaker,  Certified Life Coach, Counselor and Consultant on a mission to inspire people to rise above their circumstances. She is passionate about helping others achieve emotional wellness, reach their full potential, and live fulfilling lives. You can contact Chou at chou@graceandhopeconsulting.com

    Categories

    All
    ADD
    ADHD
    Anxiety
    Autism
    Behavior
    Children
    Chronic Conditions
    Community
    Counseling
    Counselling
    Counselor
    COVID
    Depression
    Disabilities
    Faith
    Family
    Fear
    Handwashing
    Health
    Life Coaching
    Mental Health
    Pandemic
    Parenting
    Personal Growth
    Person Centered
    Physical Health
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Self Help
    Social Distancing
    Stress
    Stroke
    Suicide
    Talk Therapy
    Teens
    Trauma
    Women

    Archives

    February 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016

Pennsylvania
​

850 Walnut Bottom Road, Suite 2
Carlisle, PA 17013

TEL:  (1) 717-216-0230
​(also available on Whatsapp)


Picture
​CHOU@GRACEANDHOPECONSULTING.COM
MARYLAND
9711 Washingtonian Boulevard
Suite 550
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Tel: (1) 240-720-7410
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​COPYRIGHT 2016-2022
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Meet Our Founder - Chou Hallegra
    • Blog
  • INDIVIDUALS
    • Therapeutic Groups
    • Coaching
  • ORGANIZATIONS
    • Professional Development
    • Inclusion Support
    • Mental Health Consultation
  • BOOKS
    • Books by Chou & Friends
    • PUBLISHING