Higher levels of stress and anxiety, even panic, are natural responses to a crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic, with no clear timeline, creates prolonged stress. While high levels of stress help us respond effectively to a brief threat (think of a car barreling down a quiet street), extended periods of stress can seriously hurt our emotional wellbeing. These tips and resources for managing your mental health can help you feel calmer and function better during the pandemic.
https://drwilliamryan.com/tips-and-resources-for-better-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/
DRWILLIAMRYAN.COM
Tips and resources for better mental health during the coronavirus pandemic - Dr. William J. Ryan, Psychologist
The book Monogamy by Sue Miller, was reviewed by Richard Russo in the New York Times book review dated yesterday.
Russo writes: “It turns out that monogamy comes with a price tag, and the bill never gets split down the middle.“
What does that mean to you?
_"IF YOU THINK YOU ARE TOO SMALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TRY SLEEPING WITH
A MOSQUITO." _
_Dalai Lama_
Things we do that might help in the moment but have problematic consequences in the long run:
Hi
For people who are willing to do the exercises on a daily basis, you can change your brain Neurochemistry.
For example, Laughter reduces the level of “stress hormones” (cortisol, epinephrine, adrenaline) in the body, while stimulating “feel good” hormones like endorphins. Studies have shown that even a “fake” laughing can elevate your mood.
Here’s a list of ways to get happiness chemicals flowing through your brain naturally.
Here’s a mixed bag
Brene Brown's 3 minutes on blame:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWf2_2L2v8
On empathy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw
Sharon Salzberg on compassion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4a66aFaIME
On being human:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhlgXvO5BXk
I'd also recommend Belleruth Naparstak's audios which can be listened to
while falling asleep:
<https://www.healthjourneys.com/a-meditation-to-help-with-anger-forgiveness>
<https://www.healthjourneys.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=compassion>
HEALTHJOURNEYS.COM
Search results for: 'compassion'
Sad that Divorce probably comes to mind as a solution, more often than couples counseling does
"To be joyful in the universe is a brave and reckless act. The courage for
joy springs not from the certainty of human experience, but the surprise. Our
astonishment at being loved, our bold willingness to love in return - these
wonders promise the possibility of joyfulness, no matter how often and how
harshly love seems to be lost.
Therefore, despite the world's sorrows, we give thanks for our loves, for our
joys and for the continued courage to be happily surprised."
- Molly Fumia
For almost all of us, the coronavirus pandemic is a major stressor affecting our ability to concentrate and cope. Even without actually getting COVID-19, loss of social support networks, job uncertainty, school closures, and having our routines disrupted for an unknown amount of time causes significant stress. Uncertainty compounds the anxiety and can trigger mental health challenges.
Some people handle uncertainty better than others. If you feel especially challenged during this period, self-care is necessary to keep your spirits up and prevent a decline in mental and physical health.
https://drwilliamryan.com/self-care-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
DRWILLIAMRYAN.COM
Self-care during the coronavirus outbreak - Dr. William J. Ryan, Psychologist
This is acceptance of reality, and acceptance of responsibility for each other when the relationship is secure. It’s part of what makes the relationship secure.
Dr. Stan Tatkin
Yesterday at 9:20 PM ·
When you recite your relationship vows, perhaps you should say, “I take you as my pain in the ass, with all your history and baggage. I take responsibility for all prior injustices you endured at the hands of those I never knew, because you now are in my care.”
Now, I doubt many people would proclaim these in a wedding ceremony, but this is exactly what secure-functioning partners sign up for. They make the conscious choice to take each other “as is.”
In a bad relationship, each partner is an expert on the flaws of the other.
