Healing Emotional Trauma Caused by COVID-19

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

Healing Emotional Trauma Caused by COVID-19

When we first learned about COVID-19, most of us probably imagined that it would be a passing cloud. That a solution would have been found soon enough and we would go back to life as we knew it.

However, we didn’t prepare for the adverse effects the virus would have on us. Our entire reality was flipped and we had to re-define socialization and care for ourselves and our loved ones.

As time went by, we witnessed the loss of life, the rise in infections, loss of jobs and livelihoods, strict lockdowns, and the fear of contraction and re-infection. We also experienced social and political unrest in America.

Dealing with the effects of the pandemic, the struggles of everyday life, re-adjusting, and the rise of injustice for BIPOC and police brutality was just A LOT for all of us – and studies show that all these events have caused severe emotional trauma.

Trauma is characterized by the lasting and harmful effects on how one functions mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually – it’s caused by events or circumstances that can be considered harmful or life-threatening. The long-term mental effects of these distressing events cause Psychological Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It’s therefore important to build your resilience and how to cope.

The following strategies are useful in helping you build your trauma resilience and coping muscle when dealing with pandemic emotional trauma:

Self – Acceptance

We’re still living in the pandemic era – we need to be more accepting of the things we’ve gone through but more so celebrate the resilience we’ve garnered in the process. Self-empathy looks like slowing down, prioritizing rest, practicing self-care, and loving yourself through it all.

Seeking support from your community

Connecting with others is an important part of trauma healing and recovery. Lean in on the people around you and your loved ones for support. Social engagements are important because they provide a platform for release and give us a feeling of belonging especially when combating loneliness.

Grounding Exercise

Do this when you have negative thoughts or when you’re overwhelmed;

- Feel your feet on the ground.
- Feel the gravity.
- Feel the pressure of your body on what is supporting it.
- Feel the texture of objects with your fingers.
- Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
Resourcing

What is your favorite imaginary place where you feel safest at? Or where have you been that made you feel calm, safe, or comforted? It could also be an experience when you were at your happiest and that’s different for all of us…. the day you got married, graduated, had your baby, received a gift, won a competition, etc. Imagine yourself there and notice the feelings you have in that place. If you need to calm down, take yourself to your safe spot in your imagination. There are no limits to what your mind can create even if it’s unicorn land. Whatever makes your mind happy, go there.

Opening up about your struggles

Pandemic trauma can be isolating because of the shame and guilt that comes with it especially if you were infected by the virus or suffered mental health issues. Opening up about what you’ve been through may not be easy and one trauma response can be to shut yourself out from the emotions. That’s why it’s so important to seek Counseling Support.

Here at Healing Springs Wellness, we use different and effective trauma-informed therapy practices such as;

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – this technique works for anxiety, depression, and insomnia where we examine how your attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts impact your behavior and feelings with the aim of replacing them with healthier alternatives.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – a way of stimulating the brain through rapid eye movements that make stressful memories feel less intense. This helps with mood regulation and decreasing the symptoms.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy – helps you focus on the here and now and teaches you to be more present with yourself as you process everything. It disrupts negative thought cycles of your depression and anxiety.
Grief Therapy – this is for people who have experienced loss. It aids in identifying and solving the problem the bereaved has in separating from the person they’ve lost to death.