Hello, everyone. I hope you are feeling a little less anxiety now that the US has finished up the election cycle, the results are (mostly) tabulated, and the counts are considered statistically conclusive. Phew!
We are not done with our important work of building personal resilience, as the pandemic is getting worse yet again. We all need to be vigilant, doing our part to contribute to flattening the curve and slowing the spread.
It may feel as if a huge burden has been lifted after the election cycle has passed, whether you agree with the outcomes or not. At least it is over, basically. And the world now has a clearer picture of who will be leading the US for the next few years. A little less uncertainty is always good. Even when the answers are difficult, knowing is typically better than not knowing!
I personally am pleased with the outcome of the election. Not all of the results were what I had hoped for, but that is the way a multi-party system works. Now that we have this behind us, it seems like the sunshine is a little brighter, the air a little fresher, and the future a bit more hopeful. Like a cloud has passed and all the pandemic weight gain has suddenly and miraculously disappeared. If only. I haven't put on a pair of pants with a waistband in 8 months, and who knows if they will fit when I finally get around to it again. Maybe I will just live the rest of the days comfortably sporting my workout clothes. I haven't put on a pair of earrings in 8 months, and I think I may not be able to when the day comes, but quite frankly, I feel very liberated by the absence of these culturally and self imposed expectations to dress and look a certain way.
So, my students are likely to see me in my running gear from now on, when I go back to teaching in person. Heck, my research is on exercise and nature exposure, so it seems fitting that I would spend most of my time in exercise gear.
Wow, it is weird to look at photos and see pre-pandemic un-masked interactions! Anyway, back to my point... I digressed quite a bit there.
Even if you are experiencing a little lift after getting past last week's election (and maybe you aren't), we still have a lot of things to stress about right now. And we need to continue to focus on pandemic resilience, especially as we head into the winter months in most parts of the world. So, if you are feeling the enduring emotional effects of the 2020 shit show, I want you to know that you are not alone. And, even with all of the interventions I have shared with you in the blog over the past few months, a little professional help might be in order. Don't be embarrassed or ashamed if you are struggling and determine it is more than you can handle alone. There is a reason psychologists and mental health professionals are busier than ever this year - many people are finding that a professional can help them deal with the shit show. So, find help. Don't hesitate. Here are some resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Find a therapist (search through your health insurance, ask a friend, or a local listing for mental health services)
Find culturally competent mental health care!
Try an app focused on managing COVID-19 stressors, such as COVID Coach.
We are not through this pandemic yet, nor many of the other social issues we have been dealing with this year. We need to remain resilient, continuing to fight for all of the important issues we are facing, and for our family and ourselves. Hang in there. We will get through this, TOGETHER.
Be well, stay safe, and take care.
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