WELLNESS EXPERT SAYS IT’S NORMAL TO BE AFRAID

We are facing an unprecedented and life-changing event with the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who choose to listen have heard most all the info that is out there at the moment. Staying in is the order of the season, as is social distancing, but I wanted to offer a few pointers to help if things are emotionally difficult for you.

First, it’s perfectly normal to feel upset right now. If you aren’t a little worried, then you are out of touch with reality. We must all be vigilant and try to stay healthy, and if that means isolation, social distancing and constant handwashing, so be it. That’s a lot better than sickness or death.

We are going through a collective grieving process, not just for the lives lost but for our way of life that is now forever changed. A big part of what we are experiencing is sadness. Again, this is perfectly normal.

For those who have been depressed before the pandemic started, staying in and isolating should be familiar to you. You may even find this situation comforting, because you can now legitimately shut the world out, and I want to caution you not to do that. Loneliness is in itself a killer. Shutting others out only makes depression worse.

If you only talk on the phone to one person a day, that can help validate your life and make the time you have to spend wondering “what if ” easier to cope with — and we are all doing it. Again, under the circumstances, this is perfectly normal. So send a text and make a call, please.

And please listen to what the Centers for Disease Control is saying.