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Grief

Letting Go of Anger, Anxiety, and Depression during COVID-19

April 27, 2020 By DeeDee

letting it go like a balloonDo you find yourself walking back to the refrigerator again and again? Are you flipping between the major news channels trying to find the latest stats and unhelpful news? Perhaps you are wondering if this “monster” of a pandemic will ever go away.

The truth is COVID -19 is bad enough without a side of anxiety, anger, or depression. Yet, COVID’s unpredictability and the uncertainty it created in all our lives has made anger, anxiety, and depression household figures even among people who rarely suffer from these emotions. The tension, rage, or sadness you may be feeling is common, but there are a lot better ways to deal with it than trying to eat your feelings away.

4 Healthy, Positive Options

When you’re feeling stuck, try one or more of these techniques to help pull yourself out of despair.

Turn It Off

For many, 24-hour news cycles where talking heads scream their opinions is not helpful. Tying their views to one political viewpoint or another is not helping viewers who just want accurate information.  Social media will try to herd you into taking one side or another. Still, it rarely provides any type of solution.

If watching the news or reading through your news feed isn’t helping, change the channel. Try Tiger King on Netflix, watch a movie on HBO, or watch your old favorites on ME TV, Nick at Nite, or TV Land.

Let’s Get Physical

Keeping your body active will help you feel better, and keep your mind from wandering into dark places. Go outside and take a walk around the block, or try one of those Couch to 10K apps. If you don’t want to leave the house, head to YouTube, where you can learn how to do the Git Up dance, watch a How to Yoga Series, or find an exercise video you like and try it in the house.

Imagine if

Visualization is a powerful technique that you can use to push difficult feelings aside. Imagine you are walking in nature and picture yourself breathing in the crisp mountain air. Take a moment and smell someone grilling steaks or fish in the distance. Imagine you are holding a dozen colorful helium balloons in your hands. Each one of them represents a different problem that you are facing. Let go, and watch the balloons fly away, taking your worries high into the sky until they are so tiny, they disappear.

Focus on the Positive

Even during this pandemic, there are still positives going on in your life. Write those positives on Post-it Notes and leave them around your house. Practice some self-talk, saying phrases like “I can handle this” or “I’ve been through tough times before.”

If You Need More

If anger, anxiety, or depression are taking over your life, you should probably talk to a caring professional who can guide you through this difficult time.

Deanne Ginns Gruenberg is conducting telehealth sessions during COVID-19. All you need is an internet connection. There is nothing you will need to download. Schedule an appointment today.

 

The Rabbit Listened

November 14, 2018 By DeeDee

The power of bibliotherapy – therapists often ask me to recommend books to use with clients facing the curve balls life throws at them. How about a book for Loss? Trauma? Friendship? Empathy? Listening?

“The Rabbit Listened” is my new “go to” book for these topics and more. It is beautifully illustrated and speaks directly to children and grownups alike. It is also gender neutral.

Taylor had patiently created a beautiful block-tower, only to see it destroyed by a flock of blackbirds. The child is understandably devastated by the destruction. Each of his well-meaning animal friends recognizes Taylor’s sadness and offer advice to help him/her feel better.

Taylor rejects the chicken’s suggestion to talk about it. He rejects bears recommendation to scream out his anger and declines the hyena’s suggestion to laugh his sadness away. It is the rabbit who helps Taylor find his way through the loss. How? Rabbit models what anyone experiencing loss craves – having someone be truly present and available to actively listen. Ultimately, Taylor reaches out and tries the coping techniques his friends had suggested enabling Taylor to begin rebuilding the tower.

As I’ve often said,

storybooks speak to the child in every one of us.

We all benefit from having someone who is genuinely present and listens. We are reminded that we are never too young or too old practice “rabbit speak.”

DeeDee Ginns Gruenberg, RPT-S

e-Counseling.com
Deanne (DeeDee) Ginns Gruenberg, MA, LLPC, LLP, RPT-S
2833 Crooks Road, Suite 100
Troy, MI 48084
Phone: 248-872-8506 - Email: bloom@therapywithdeedee.com

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