{"id":489,"date":"2020-05-20T19:40:44","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T19:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corehealingfromtrauma.com\/?p=489"},"modified":"2020-05-21T11:24:53","modified_gmt":"2020-05-21T11:24:53","slug":"how-to-be-present-in-a-pandemic-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corehealingfromtrauma.com\/index.php\/2020\/05\/20\/how-to-be-present-in-a-pandemic-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be Present in a Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\tHow to Be Present in a Pandemic\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\tMarti Wibbels, MS, LMHC\n\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\"MayMHM\"\n\t

While the world focuses on social, physical, and financial ramifications of COVID-19, increasing rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, suicide, and domestic violence point to a growing mental health pandemic. Research from Kaiser Family Foundation indicates \u201c45% of Americans say the coronavirus pandemic is impacting their mental health.\u201d Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, let\u2019s focus on what we can<\/em> do to limit a concurrent mental health \u201cplague.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the most concerning issues related to the coronavirus is the social isolation it delivers. We practice \u201csocial distancing,\u201d but [as I\u2019ve suggested before], why not call it \u201cphysical distancing\u201d instead? And when we\u2019re separated from loved ones, friends, and co-workers, we can<\/em> be present<\/strong> in many ways<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

One nearly forgotten form of human connection is writing<\/strong> letters<\/strong>. In Gift of a Letter,<\/em> Alexandra Stoddard wrote, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be a professional writer to take pleasure in letter writing, any more than an artist has to sell paintings.\u201d We can write short notes of encouragement and mail them to a pastor, teacher, nurse, doctor, or even mental health professional. We can send family members and friends updates that include spiritual encouragement along with news. Stoddard says, \u201cNot surprisingly, I often write my most meaningful letters when I have the luxury of time to ponder in utter leisure the larger meanings of life and love, uncluttered by the details of daily life at home or by the constant harassment of the telephone.\u201d Even though most of us are busy in the midst of COVID, it\u2019s possible to find time to ponder long enough to write something meaningful to a friend.<\/p>\n

Another way to be present is to binge watch<\/strong> [I know you can\u2019t believe I\u2019m saying this!], as long as what you\u2019re watching is The Chosen<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em> This new series, available on YouTube (or you can download the app to your smartphone and watch on your phone or television), can provide an incredible opportunity for you to have a conversation about Jesus with the people you live with or with friends who are far away. We can<\/em> share God\u2019s love in meaningful ways, wherever we are!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use social media, <\/strong>such as Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime to connect. Yes, it\u2019s exhausting to be in Zoom meetings all day, but we can <\/em>choose to be thankful we have options for being present with others. With her in Minnesota and me in Florida, my grandson\u2019s wife and I had fun baking together via Zoom. And a friend has a Zoom cooking club\u2026there\u2019s so<\/strong> much we can<\/em> do<\/strong>; let\u2019s move beyond what we can\u2019t do!<\/p>\n

Fear and anxiety multiply when life feels out of control. While it\u2019s true that we can\u2019t control the COVID pandemic, we can<\/em> control our minds<\/strong>. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) explains: For\u00a0God has not given us a spirit of fear,\u00a0but of power and of love and of a sound mind.<\/em> This tells us that \u201ca spirit of fear\u201d is something we don\u2019t have to accept! Instead, we can<\/em> live with \u201cpower\u2026love and\u2026a sound mind,\u201d choosing what we listen to and believe, living beyond anxiety, fear, and dread.<\/p>\n

Being separated from friends, family, and co-workers is one of the toughest parts of this \u201cseason.\u201d But we can<\/em> be present with them, day and night, through prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 urges us to pray without ceasing.<\/em> It takes conscious effort to pray continually, but we can<\/em> pray<\/strong>–anytime, anywhere, for anyone. In letters, emails, or texts, we can share how we\u2019re praying, or ask them for requests. I\u2019m praying Ephesians 3:16 for each of you reading today\u2019s blog: that according to\u00a0the riches of his glory\u00a0he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit\u00a0in your inner being.<\/em> God sees you, loves you, and promises to provide for your needs (mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual) according to His riches in Christ Jesus <\/em>(see Philippians 4:19). May you realize His loving Presence today!<\/p>\n

For practical ways to reduce anxiety and depression, check out the following articles from my website:<\/p>\n