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Living and Thriving in Interesting Times

By John Chovan posted 11-10-2016 12:19 PM

  

"May you live in interesting times" was certainly predictive of the last 18 months, eh? In light of these events, especially the reaction to my fellow Americans to the outcome of the Presidential Election, I have read quite a bit about how traumatized some folks are. Ok, I thought as I read, it's time to put on my psychiatric nurse practitioner hat. I shared this with some friends on Facebook and I'm sharing it with the community at large with the intention for healing.

Everyone responds to stress according to their learned coping mechanisms. Some coping mechanisms are adaptive, some are not. Physical exercise, eating healthfully, getting rest, and not overly relying on substances are core to mental health, of course. Counseling and therapy are never bad ideas to help distinguish the two and reinforce mental health.

Anger is a normal reaction. People are trying to help us by telling us to work harder for change. Some of us have been working for change for decades. So we are angry. Make sure to express your anger, but only in unthreatening ways. Journal, talk it out, unleash on Facebook. Remember: We are a gentle angry people.

Sadness is normal because we are mourning the loss of the presumptive future. When sadness continues, it can become pathological. But give yourself some space to grieve and adapt. And don't be afraid to talk about it with others. If you have a faith community, engage it. If not, meditate, use soothing aromas, and surround yourself with plinky-plunky music that promotes peace and calm. Or do all of it.

Many of us were bullied along our life journeys. The invective from the campaign and now the imprimatur to hate has triggered memories of these past traumas. Nightmares and flashbacks of former bullying are creeping back. This is a post-traumatic stress reaction. Talking to a professional can help. Crawling into a bottle will only make things worse. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. We have good techniques that don't need to last very long to help you heal and live a full life.

Also, some of us may develop misgivings about going out into the world and feel anxious or even panicked. Ride the wave of panic, it will go away. And anxiety can be helped through several means. Journaling, talking it out with others, and professional help can all relieve anxious thoughts. So can hanging out with like-minded people. It sometimes does take a village. Engage your peeps, your faith community, your pals at the diner.

In the end, taking care of yourself first is important for your health and so you can function the way you want to... To go to work, to take care of your family, to live your life, and enjoy it. A little help from others can go a long way to surviving and thriving what the world throws at us. And there are mental health professionals with tools to support you and those you love.

John D. Chovan, PhD, DNP, CNP, CNS, PMHNP/CNS-BC
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner & Clinical Nurse Specialist
Columbus, Ohio

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