BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Q: I have a hard time when things are out of my control. This has more difficult with the current pandemic. Is there anything I can do about this?

A:

The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, especially because so much of the situation is out of our control. If you notice that you’re becoming frustrated and angry with the actions of others, a helpful skill to use is called Radical Acceptance. The idea is that you acknowledge and validate your emotions, without judging them, and accept the facts of the situation. The longer a person refuses to accept reality, the more difficult it will be.

Think of Winter in Ohio. We know it’s going to be cold and there’s nothing we can do about it, but there are many people who get upset about that. If a person wakes up every day during the winter, feeling sad or angry about the weather, they’re going to be pretty miserable. Instead, they could radically accept that it’s going to be cold, acknowledge that they don’t enjoy the weather, but accept that reality and move on with their day, perhaps looking forward to Spring and Summer! There are so many unpleasant situations in life that may be out of our control. The pandemic has gone on for much longer than we all had hoped. But, remember to control what you can (social distancing, wearing a mask, hand washing), and also accept reality that we are all in the same situation, facing the same pandemic. And similar to Winter, better days are yet to come.

Please know, if you are truly struggling or If you are interested in speaking with a professional to learn other ways to improve your mental health, please contact Premier Behavioral Health Services. We specialize in individual therapy and programs designed around skill-building to cope with life’s uncertainties.

Justin Monty, MSSA, LISW

Premier Behavioral Health Service 8701 Mentor Avenue Mentor 44060 440-266-0770