Ways to cope with effects of PTSD related to pandemic

As you emerge from the year-long pandemic you may experience some form of post-traumatic stress.

After enduring prolonged adversity, it’s common for people to experience physical and emotional struggles. Weight gain, anxiety and depression have all increased dramatically, according to recent surveys. But you don’t have to suffer from the ill-effects of PTSD.

In fact, it’s possible to improve your life immensely as you move past the pandemic.

Psychologists refer to it as Post-Traumatic Growth. Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun define PTG as people’s ability “to develop new understandings of themselves, the world they live in, how to relate to other people, the kind of future they might have and a better understanding of how to live life.”

PTG research has revealed five ways to make your life even better than it was before the pandemic.

Relationships

Reach out to at least one other person every day — a family member, friend, coworker or neighbor. Having meaningful conversations will provide an invaluable connection that will substantially enrich your life.

The best way to enhance relationships is to show genuine interest in what’s going on in the other person’s life. Empathize with their struggles. Show enthusiasm as you celebrate the positive events they share. It’s much easier to focus on the other person if you’re feeling socially shy. Notice whether the other person responds by asking questions to learn more about your life. If they do, the relationship is likely to flourish.

New possibilities

We’ve all be hunkered down for long time. What new adventures could you embark upon as the world opens up this year? Find groups online who share your interest.

What stories have inspired you over the past few months? What was admirable about what people were doing? Try engaging in similar activities yourself.

When you first attempt a new activity, you’ll initially enter a trial-and-error phase. It will take you a month or two to become

proficient at doing something new. Be patient and persistent. Celebrate small steps as you make progress. Staying committed to learning new behaviors will build confidence and enhance your wellbeing.

Personal strengths

Take the VIA Character Strengths assessment at viacharacter.org. You’ll discover which of the 24 personal traits are most prominent in your personality.

Remember, just because you possess a particular strength doesn’t mean you’ve been using it to full advantage. In fact, studies show people spend as much as 50% of their time ruminating on the past or worrying about their future.

That’s time wasted that could be spent exercising strengths to bring forth your best possible self in the present moment.

Practice using a different one of your top seven strengths for 10 minutes every day of the week. Remember, you’ll only become your best possible self by learning to consistently use strengths at the top of the list, never by focusing on those at the bottom.

More appreciative

There is much to be grateful for in your life, as well as many challenges. It’s easy to become consumed by problems and lose your appreciation of what’s good. To grow as a person requires learning how to counterbalance problems with positive moments.

Take, for example, your far from perfect spouse. You can be critical of their imperfections or grateful for the wonderful qualities they bring into your life.

When people express gratitude to someone, there’s a powerful boost of joy for both themselves and the person they’re thanking. Because they’re in an appreciative mood, recipients of kind acts usually spread the joy. They’ll likely pay it forward by doing something nice for someone else. It might even be you.

Enhance spirituality

Go beyond your daily routines to reflect on the bigger questions. What makes your life worth living? Once you’ve identified what’s most important to you, take a hard look at whether you’re living by your core values.

Perhaps your job is not allowing you to make a meaningful difference in the world. For example, you may be troubled to see so many people struggling as a result of the pandemic. Lift your spirits by doing things such as volunteering to help feed people who are hungry.

Many people find their spirituality is enhanced by their fellowship in a religious community. If you feel that this would work for you, talk to your friends about their experience of engaging with people in their congregation.

Another spiritual boost is to get vaccinated as soon as you can. You’ll be doing something good for all of mankind.