There’s no doubt 2020 has been a stressful year. We’ve seen the memes making jokes about a new crisis emerging each month. Jokes are good during times of stress so enjoy the intended humor and have a laugh.
The complete upheaval of daily life as we know it was difficult to manage when it first presented. As time lingers on and we continue to live in this alternate dimension, many people are feeling the stressors adding up. To make matters worse, the people of our community, as well as people across the nation, find themselves divided on the important issues that are impacting our daily lives.
We are worried about the health effects of this new strain of virus; the financial impact the virus has had upon our businesses and home life; obtaining supplies for daily necessities; the education and socialization of our children. So much to worry about. When stress lingers as it has been, tensions grow. Anger is more quick to surface. Words may be said that normally would be held back. People are reporting seeing sides of friends, family, neighbors that they haven’t seen before and they do not like. Although the State of Florida is reopening, we can still expect to live with the virus for quite some time. We also are approaching the date for the next presidential and local elections. This just adds fuel to the divisiveness we are feeling. This is called socio-political stress.
So, how do we cope with this socio-political stress? The Law Office of Pamela J Helton has researched the topic and offers the following tips:
Limit the amount of news and social media you digest each day. It can be easy to have the news constantly running as your work or go about your day. And we all know how easy it is to go down the social meda rabbit hole. Block out a small amount of time to catch up on the daily local and world news as well as the news on your social channels. When you see a post with heated arguments, keep scrolling. Look for intellectual debates rather than threads with name calling and stereotyping.
Be aware of your surroundings when speaking about hot topics. Are there children around or someone who is having a hard time right now? Be considerate and keep heated conversations from happening within their earshot.
Your routine likely has changed since COVID-19 entered our lives, but try your best to create a routine you can follow and make sure healthy activities are included.
Practice relaxation.
Seek out community and healthy engagement. The virus, its impacts, politics do not have to be a part of every interaction. Find ways to spend time with others where those topics are off limits.
Don’t judge. Everyone has been forced into a daily life for which they did not plan and everyone reacts to situations differently. Let people have their feelings and you have yours. Provide support when you can, but also recognize your limits. When your cup is empty, you have nothing to offer others. It’s ok, and necessary, to take time to fill your cup before you fill others.
Hopefully, you know healthy activities and habits that help calm you. Be sure to include those in your daily routine. Try to be a voice of calm and reason and avoid fueling the fires of divisiveness. It takes great people to create a great community and that is exactly what we have here. Let’s keep our community great and get through this time together!
If you are having a hard time, please reach out to us, 352-243-9991. If we can’t help, we will refer you to resources that can.
