Tapping through Pandemic overwhelm, anxiety and depression
We have lived through extraordinary times due to the pandemic. We have experienced landslide changes to our lives, which has happened completely outside of our choosing and control and has resulted in long periods with significant uncertainty. Lockdown radically changed our way of life and the pandemic caused life changing decisions for many. It was, and to some degree still is, not possible to make plans that won’t change overnight. These were incredibly triggering conditions for anyone living with anxiety and depression, easily tipping you into points of overwhelm.
The pandemic caused different pressures for us each in a different way depending on our circumstances. You will have your own unique list, which may include some of the following issues or events, so please hold yourself with kindness as you read this list and possibly start to reflect:
Health
Grieving for loved ones who were ill or passed away due to covid
Fear of the virus and coping ongoing long covid or other health issues
Frustrations due to reduced access to general medical and social support
Pressure on mental health due to personal support networks being compromised
Depression due to social isolation, separated from work colleagues and unable to see loved ones
Parents
Anxiety over lack of birth support, experiencing isolation during birth
Pressure of being stuck at home with a newborn, toddlers or challenging behaviours from children
Exhaustion from a lack of child support, from nursery, school, grand parents
Caring for, or organising support for elderly parents
Anxiety resulting from not being able to visit elderly parents
Stress of plans changing over night and rescheduling
Financial Pressure
Pressure of retraining for work due to uncertain future in your industry
Fear due to financial uncertainty, job loss or threat of job loss
Worry around cost of cancelling events, weddings, big birthdays etc
Stress from the pressures of working from home, adapting to working online and space to work at home
Fatigue from working longer hours (especially for key workers), juggling home schooling and work
Social
Feeling trapped, powerless, frustrated, bored and lonely due to social measures
Pressure and strain on relationships, relationship breakdowns
Distress of being unable to attend funerals or other important events
Exhaustion, not being able to take a break (or leave the house!) or have a holiday
Fear of food shortages or a lack of medical supplies
The compounding effect of living with these pressures and the prolonged strain can have an impact on your wellbeing; leaving you feeling burnt out, exhausted and overwhelmed. That’s why many people are living with heightened anxiety and depression levels currently, too much additional pressure, for too long without a true break or rest. The need for many to radically adapt to circumstances quickly, can also leave you in a state of high alert which is exhausting.
So what can you do?
How Tapping can help
Tapping can help by enabling you to process all that has happened in your life during this period. Tapping through particularly difficult experiences or moments that stand out from that time. Allowing a stream of consciousness to flow as you Tap - thinking about how difficult it was. Tap through your thoughts and feelings on how the pandemic has affected you will help release any emotions that are still stuck from that period in your mind/body.
Remember just because something is in the past it doesn’t mean you are not burdened with how you felt, you may still be carrying it with you. Tapping will allow you to process it, release and let it go, so you feel the weight of recent past events less - helping to free your energy and mind. Note: please be mindful not to Tap solo on very triggering or traumatic events, you will need support with this.
Rest
Prioritise rest. Rest is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Remember to schedule regular, quality breaks when you can. I realise this can feel like a joke at times, I say this as a mum with a toddler, but you can't run a car without fuel and you're the same. Rest is part of your fuel, so take it seriously and prioritise it.
Gratitude practice
I used to think that developing gratitude was twee, until I started practicing it regularly and realised how powerful it is. Turning your mind and heart towards the positive, recognising and acknowledging what you already have to be thankful for can be an incredibly transformative practice. A gratitude practice has the power to support the rewiring of your brain and shift your outlook. It can provide an excellent counterbalance or even antidote to the habitual aspect of feeling frustrated, anxious and depressed.
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