March 2021 was the year anniversary of the beginning of a worldwide pandemic, and the END of “normalcy”. The unpredictability and challenges of life with Covid lead to record high depression, anxiety, and grief. Many people felt- and still feel- a chronically low energy, hopelessness, loneliness, worry, fear, agitation and grief about losing the life they once knew. I’ve been using some great Holistic tools with my clients at Positive Energy Counseling Center to relieve both Covid Fatigue and Covid Stress.
While life is not quite normal yet, there are some glimmers of hope that the world is becoming “safer”. However, I’ve noticed that many of my clients are still experiencing the same heightened state of covid-related stress and fatigue even though the pandemic is moving in a positive direction.
The truth is, we’ve become accustomed to a type of crisis thinking and crisis-feeling for over a year. As ironic as it seems, we now need to start preparing for “non-crisis living”.
HERE’S 3 GREAT TIPS TO: “PREPARE” FOR NORMALCY, FEEL ENERGIZED AGAIN, AND HONOR YOUR GROWTH
PLAN FOR FUTURE FUN: Start planning activities and events that you hope to do during the warmer weather and after getting vaccinated (if that’s part of your plan). Schedule dates and activities with friends and physically put them on your calendar. This will remind you that brighter days are on the Horizon will naturally connect you to hope and optimism.
DO A COUNTDOWN: If getting vaccinated is something you have been holding out for, add a daily countdown to your vaccination date on your refrigerator or in common area in your home. This will shift your focus to the end-in-sight and raise your positive feelings.
HAVE YOUR “FUTURE SELF” WRITE YOU A LETTER: To help yourself process everything you experienced over the last year, sit down a write a letter from your future self to your present self. Have your future -self tell the story of the pandemic to your present self, explaining all of the emotions, challenges, and lessons you experienced. Have your future-self explain how you grew during those hard times. This letter will give you a spiritual perspective into all of the growth you have had, and remind you of your ability to succeed during super-challenging events.
As covid restrictions begin to lift, it’s essential that we realize that returning to normalcy does not mean returning to who you were before the pandemic. You’ve transformed through Covid, just as everyone on the planet has. You have been impacted by both the difficulties and the up-sides of a very intense and dramatic experience. Even if you don’t realize it now, you are resilient, you are strong, and you have grown exponentially this year. It helpful to realize that your “return to normalcy” could actually mean that your “new” normal life will be infused with all of the growth and strength you have made this year.
KIM CALLAHAN, LMSW, is a therapist at Positive Energy Counseling Center who earned her Master’s in Social Work from Adelphi University. In addition her training in Advanced Holistic Counseling with Beth Miller at Positive Energy Counseling Center, she utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Person-Centered and Trauma-Informed Therapies in her clinical work. She has a passion for helping others think creatively by finding solutions and opportunities that are outside of the box. Kim has worked with diverse populations, empowering her clients to triumph over life transitions, trauma, self-esteem, self-worth, anxiety and grief. She is experienced in counseling both young adults and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, adjustment issues and relationship problems.
Beth Miller, LCSW-R, CEC, CAHC is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Life Coach, energy healer, meditation teacher, and spiritual counselor in private practice in Bayport, Long Island, New York, USA. She is the owner of the group practice POSITIVE ENERGY Holistic Counseling & Institute where she and her fabulous team of therapists use the breakthrough model Advanced Holistic Counseling & Coaching™ to create transformational change in their clients. Beth is the creator of the trademarked Advanced Holistic Counseling & Coaching™: Modern therapy that combines the very best of traditional psychotherapy with life coaching, energy healing, science, and spirituality. Now, Licensed Therapists, Healers, and Coaches can learn how to experience huge transformation in themselves, their clients, and their careers by becoming Certified in Advanced Holistic Counseling & Coaching™. For free holistic and psychotherapy tools, visit the POSITIVE ENERGY Holistic Counseling & Institute YouTube channel, or contact us directly via phone at 631-533-0708 or email at info@positivecounselingli.com.
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