1
How well are you coping with the stress, depressive mood, & anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic predicts how fast you will recover from your experience when it's over.
I co-authored numerous med articles w/Dr. Folkman - one of the pioneers in coping - at UCSF.
Some findings👇
How well are you coping with the stress, depressive mood, & anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic predicts how fast you will recover from your experience when it's over.
I co-authored numerous med articles w/Dr. Folkman - one of the pioneers in coping - at UCSF.
Some findings👇
2
We all use different coping mechanisms at different times in various amounts & for various lengths of time while we simultaneously try to live with & adjust for the "major life event(s)" that affects us, e.g., prolonged illness; loss of a loved one, job/income; caregiving,...
We all use different coping mechanisms at different times in various amounts & for various lengths of time while we simultaneously try to live with & adjust for the "major life event(s)" that affects us, e.g., prolonged illness; loss of a loved one, job/income; caregiving,...
3
Coping well DURING the difficult major life event(s) we experience predict if we will recover, as well as how well & how fast we will recover.
This means effective coping strategies shortens the length of the inevitable effects of stress, anxiety, & depressive mood we have.
Coping well DURING the difficult major life event(s) we experience predict if we will recover, as well as how well & how fast we will recover.
This means effective coping strategies shortens the length of the inevitable effects of stress, anxiety, & depressive mood we have.
4
Types of coping:
1 self-control
2 confrontation
3 social support
4 emotional distancing
5 escape & avoidance
6 radical acceptance
7 positive reappraisal
8 strategic problem solving
Types of coping:
1 self-control
2 confrontation
3 social support
4 emotional distancing
5 escape & avoidance
6 radical acceptance
7 positive reappraisal
8 strategic problem solving
5
Escape & avoidance coping is like overeating, drinking too much alcohol, a lot of recreational drug use, arguing, blaming others, self-harm, etc..
These things lengthen recovery periods.
Most of us intuitively know this true but practice some form of it/them anyway.
Escape & avoidance coping is like overeating, drinking too much alcohol, a lot of recreational drug use, arguing, blaming others, self-harm, etc..
These things lengthen recovery periods.
Most of us intuitively know this true but practice some form of it/them anyway.
6
Consciously choosing healthier ways of coping helps alleviate/mitigate stress, anxiety, & depressive mood during the negative live event(s) and affects how well we recover from it/them.
This makes sense but requires intentionality: deliberate thinking, planning, & discipline.
Consciously choosing healthier ways of coping helps alleviate/mitigate stress, anxiety, & depressive mood during the negative live event(s) and affects how well we recover from it/them.
This makes sense but requires intentionality: deliberate thinking, planning, & discipline.
7
Theories & research have evolved in the last decades about our individual coping mechanism profiles & effectiveness in helping us - or not - to recovery.
But the intentionality behind what we chose to do - or not do - remains. Actively seeking healthy forms is paramount.
Theories & research have evolved in the last decades about our individual coping mechanism profiles & effectiveness in helping us - or not - to recovery.
But the intentionality behind what we chose to do - or not do - remains. Actively seeking healthy forms is paramount.
8
Active problem solving & "looking for the silver lining" in events actually mitigate the untoward effects from major negative life events.
Put in place & routinely connect w/social support systems
Develop relaxation/meditation routines that work for you
Active problem solving & "looking for the silver lining" in events actually mitigate the untoward effects from major negative life events.
Put in place & routinely connect w/social support systems
Develop relaxation/meditation routines that work for you
9
Develop & practice physical wellness routines daily
Resist becoming numb or emotional distance - as tempting as that temporarily might sound - because it can become hard to reconnect w/yourself & others in the long run
Avoid risky behaviors (drunkenness, etc.)
Develop & practice physical wellness routines daily
Resist becoming numb or emotional distance - as tempting as that temporarily might sound - because it can become hard to reconnect w/yourself & others in the long run
Avoid risky behaviors (drunkenness, etc.)
10
This pandemic sucks.
Admit it.
Scream it out loud if that helps.
Have a good cry or two or three about it.
But then pick yourself up, & actively make plans for how you are going to cope/handle the stress, anxiety, &/or depressive moods that may come along w/this pandemic.
This pandemic sucks.
Admit it.
Scream it out loud if that helps.
Have a good cry or two or three about it.
But then pick yourself up, & actively make plans for how you are going to cope/handle the stress, anxiety, &/or depressive moods that may come along w/this pandemic.
11
Remember: deliberate healthy choices in how we cope with this pandemic will affect how well we recover from it.
We didn't cause this pandemic to happen, but we can choose how well we cope with it.
Call a professional if you need additional help.
Stay safe. Be victorious!
Remember: deliberate healthy choices in how we cope with this pandemic will affect how well we recover from it.
We didn't cause this pandemic to happen, but we can choose how well we cope with it.
Call a professional if you need additional help.
Stay safe. Be victorious!
