[WELLBEING THREAD] Preparing for lockdown decision announcement today. Frustration, irritation with yourself and others, and distress are common experiences when we are under chronic stress and it feels like there is no way out.
When your stress hormones are continually pumping because your threat system is active, it’s hard to see things as they are.
Some research suggests that when people experience frustration in the day, they tend to have more frightening dreams at night. It’s as if the mind is trying to process and make sense of experiences we find psychologically distressing when we are awake.
Throw in disturbed sleep, lack of stimulation and reduced social contact, and you can see that it’s easy to end up in quite a downward loop.
When that happens, it’s natural that you would start to seek some relief from the frustration. You might start looking for ways around some of the restrictions, just so you can get some sense of normality and control.
RESIST that temptation, even if decision later today don’t go the way you’d like them.
Here’s what you can do to help yourself and others through whatever happens over the next few days with Alert Level changes.
Here’s what you can do to help yourself and others through whatever happens over the next few days with Alert Level changes.
1. Keep track of your wins. When a difficult situation is dragging on, it’s easy to lose track of what is going well. Keep a win log, update it daily and be sure to review it every couple of days.
When you have a moment of happiness, a great game with your kids, or a good chat with a friend or loved one, write it down. When you review your win log, you may be surprised by how much you have done and how many great things happened.
2. Remind yourself that this will pass. Frustration shouldn’t be an ongoing experience. Like the weather, it’s bound to change. By recognising that emotions are generally fleeting, you rob them of their power and hold on you.
Try to envision yourself in a happier place and remember that things that have frustrated you in the past generally didn’t last that long. Together, we will find a way through - though at times there’s no doubt that it won’t be easy.
3. Take some deep breaths. It’s likely that the frustration you’re feeling has caused you to hold your breath or breathe shallowly. This means your body is oxygen-depleted and it’s hard to think clearly.
When you take a few deep breaths, your pent-up emotions will start to ease and you can restore a sense of calm. Deep breathing can also help slow your heartbeat and lower your blood pressure, reducing the negative effects of frustration and irritation [ENDS]
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