Chronic Pandemic Stress 3 Powerful Lessons

Chronic Pandemic Stress: 3 Powerful Lessons

Chronic pandemic stress is upon us as we enter the post-pandemic times that lay ahead.

With talk of vaccinations being on the top of everyone’s lips, and lockdowns on the verge of being lifted across the globe…

There’s a lot of baggage coming through too.

For many, there’s light at the end of what’s been a very dark and hard tunnel.

But with that light, comes a significant dose of chronic pandemic stress that’s rapidly sweeping across the world.

Most are feeling lonely and ground down by events of the past year and some have awoken to anxieties and past traumas that were laying dormant.

Many have been waiting a long time to regain their freedom and believe that once everything returns to normal all will be fine.

And of course, more social interaction and a sense of familiarity will improve stress levels.

But, a lot of damage has already been done.

A lot of people feel like their future is now downright impossible as they’ve lost loved ones, jobs, income and opportunities to progress with their families and careers.

Many have missed out on big life milestones like getting married, going on holidays, celebrating big birthdays, promotions and achievements due to cancellations and delays.

And many report feeling insecure about the economy and how it affects the future. Like buying a house, getting a well-paid job, or setting up their own business’ and supporting their families.

This is all contributing to chronic pandemic stress.

But with this, are 3 powerful lessons we can learn that’ll help us move through this time easier.

As cliché as this sounds, our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing need our attention.

Many have realized that with extra time to ourselves, we've had far less distraction and escapism - we’ve had to get to know ourselves again.

We’ve had to question who are we are without our morning commute, regular meetings with friends, family and colleagues. We've had to figure out who we are without all the activities that reinforce who we think we are.

Some people lost themselves in a Netflix oblivion, became a stay-at-home workaholic or leaned into the ease of drinking alcohol daily and indulging in food which they now regret.

Others had to sit with their feelings and actually feel them versus numbing them with the busyness of everyday life.

Many have felt helpless, lost loved ones and had to face hard truths about their relationships and abilities to be a good spouse or parent.

We’ve been tested with financial constraints and uncertainty. As well as the niggling questions about our purpose in life and the trajectory of where this all leads.

But NOW is the time to put this to rest by learning to take care of:

When we do, we can finally come home to who we really are and live a fulfilled life no matter what’s happening in the outside world.

Taking care of these 8 areas makes life easier.

Work life improves because we know our boundaries
Family relationships improve because we’re focused on what matters
Financial life improves because we’re making decisions from a clear space
Our health improves because we’re paying attention to all aspects of what it means to be human
And the list goes on…

When we look after ourselves fully, we can take care of others too. Whether it’s you leading a team, being responsible for your family or contributing to causes that you care about. It can only be sustainable when YOU are well.

By taking care of yourself, you can stand strong in the eye of a storm. No matter the chaos around you, you won’t be swayed. Nothing can disrupt your inner-rhythm.

Mainstream separation has never been more prominent.

From the Vaccine Lovers to the Anti-Vaxxers,

To the conspiracy theories and to the common sense,

From the ones who used this time to reflect, nurture and grow to the ones who used this time in suffering, disempowerment and misery.

Either sides of the fence can be lonely.

No-one was prepared for such a global disruption. There is no right or wrong way to have dealt with it. But we can learn from it. Our awareness has the opportunity to shine through now.

How we choose to react or respond to this historic time is up to us.

If we choose to continue blaming external factors for our life experience, we’ll forever feel resentment and frustration.

Blaming a country, government, employer or anything else for our circumstances can bear no fulfilment in the long-term.

We must become aware of what we can be responsible for.

Imagine what it’d be like if we all pledged to becoming more aware of how we feel.

Imagine if we were more aware of what the thoughts we think. Or aware of who we’re showing up as.

Imagine if we became more intentional with our words and actions.

We’d become aware of where these feelings come from and the impact we have on others, for better and for worse. We’d have the opportunity to learn to have more respect for ourselves and others.

We’d likely remember how it feels to check in on those around us, and remember how it feels when others check in on us too.

Our understanding for one another will grow exponentially which breeds compassion and care.

Responding with true self and social awareness cultivates social change too. Collectively we can focus on what matters and disregard the turmoil we create.

Adjusting to traditional everyday life is already proving challenging for some.

Going back to old environments, toxic workplaces, social situations and stepping out of our newfound comfort zones is triggering anxiety, low self-esteem and worry.

Simple things like choosing what clothes to wear or reverting back to small talk with a stranger or a colleague is creating a new form of self-consciousness.

Many are also realizing that what they once had, isn’t what they want anymore. The fancy office, clothes, cars, the tech and new ‘stuff’ aren’t giving them the buzz it used to. Causing them to question their true meaning and purpose.

Leaving behind our inherent ego-centric world is unknown territory and bringing up confusion and self-doubt.

A life with the awareness of the suffering of others, but an ability to think outside the box and bring new solutions to the table.

A heart-centered way of communicating by listening to what people truly have to say versus waiting to speak.

A heart-centered way of putting yourself into someone else’s shoes and seeing from new perspectives.

A heart-centered way to connect with what makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside.

This looks different for everyone. It could be joining a non-profit in your spare time, following a career that’s meaningful for you or simply holding space and compassion for others.

Either way, we are moving into a heart-centered world which requires a new level of personal awareness.

An obvious example, is the way we’re led by technology in all that we do. Most people check their phones before they check in with their loved ones first thing in the morning.

This isn’t sustainable or conducive for a happy, meaningful and fulfilled life.

The sooner we become heart-centered, get to know ourselves and become aware of the role we play in society - the sooner we’ll be able to leave chronic pandemic stress behind.

Click here to take the scorecard.

Perhaps you've heard these ideas before? But are you embodying it?

Can you honestly say, with your hand on your heart that you are fully owning these lessons?

Maybe you think it’s easier said than done, but I promise you it’s easier to live from this space versus carry the consequences of chronic stress. Here’s living proof from our community.

Lesson #1 - We Need to look after ourselves Now More than Ever

Lesson #2 - Self and Social-Awareness is Critical

Lesson #3 - Heart-Centered Navigation is Required in a Post-Pandemic World

How much suffering would have been reduced during the pandemic if we’d have adopted this way of life sooner?

We invite you to embrace these 3 powerful lessons.

Let us know what else you’ve learned from this crazy time, email us at info@thewellnesstheory.com

If you haven’t already be sure to complete our quick, easy (and free), assessment tool so you can see you #1 biggest leverage point to leave stress behind and leverage your wellness and start embodying some of today’s lessons.

Until next time,

Be Well, Mean Well, Make a Difference that Lasts,

Love Charlotte and Jonathan

References from Trusted Sources:

(Ref 1)* - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/news/pandemic-one-year-landmark-mental-health-study-reveals-mixed-picture

(Ref 2)* - https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-021-03213-2#Sec14

(Ref 3)* - https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?q=pandemic+stress&page=1&stateGeo=none&searchtype=web&cssp=SERP&_charset_=UTF-8

AUTHOR

Charlotte Stebbing-Mills

Award Winning Stress Relief & Wellbeing Specialist

Co-Founder of The Wellness Theory

With 19+ years experience and her corporate success within the health, fitness and wellness industry, she has worked with hundreds of purpose-led individuals and organizations to move from surviving to thriving.

After burning out, she knows first-hand how it feels to feel like something is missing in life, to the point of hitting rock bottom and struggling to get back up again. Mastering the art of healing and high-performance simultaneously is no small feat.

Charlotte can relate to how overwhelming it can be, but she'll also be the first to tell you that there is a way forward. Her own journey is proof that you can bounce back and create the life you always wanted, for yourself and those you love.