By Kathlyn McHugh (RCC, RSW)

I sat down this morning to finally write a blog to all you beautiful folks out there — something I’ve been meaning to do for months. I kept waiting for the rate of change to slow before writing to you, but the changes have been ongoing and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

As I opened my computer, I glanced at a post from Linked In. It said: “When your best people start to go quiet, it means the worst part of your culture is getting louder.” This perfectly captured how I've been quiet for months, meaning to reach out and address these crazy times, but being unsure where to even begin.

I remembered a brief article I wrote in March 2020 when the pandemic first started, and thought I’d unearth it to see how I could fit it into the present moment. As you will see below, I replaced some of the references of the pandemic with what seemed applicable to our reality today...

Managing Our Anxiety During Challenging Times

We are all personally affected by the [current political and economic environment] in a variety of different ways, but anxiety is likely an emotion we have shared as individuals and as a collective community.

Many of us also have responsibility for our family, friends and/or workplace to lead them through what would seem to be a [socioeconomic and cultural crisis].

We need to know how to prepare and soothe ourselves and bring stewardship through peace of mind and a sense of calm. Anxiety and fear are running rampant with the uncertainty of [these times] and is quickly unfolding as a social and financial global shift. It’s important that we have a solid foundation of skills and strategies to remain resilient during this time.

Accept and Allow your Feelings

All your feelings are normal and expectable - particularly anxiety, fear, and sadness. Talk about and encourage expression of these thoughts and feelings with those around you.

Stay Informed with Containment

Know the facts - stick to information that is researched-based and comes from reliable sources.
Create personal boundaries on your exposure to stress-inducing media.
If news is causing anxiety or distress - stop watching. Try to discern fact from rumour.

Attend to Self-Care

***Eat healthfully*** *(lots of fresh food if possible), drink lots of water, and use supplements to boost your immune system if desired.*
***Get extra sleep*** *if possible.*
***Connect*** *with and spend time in nature.*
*Allow yourself to indulge in activities that bring you* ***joy, pleasure, and relaxation.***

Maintain your social networks and virtual connections, and spend time with people who bring you happiness and comfort.

But seeing as I am now five years older, and hopefully wiser, I’d like to say more.

Understanding Fear

In several previous blogs I’ve mentioned the connection, or more specifically the opposition, between fear and love.

It occurs to me that we are living in times of high fear, which arises when we assess (consciously and/or unconsciously) that we are not SAFE. While it is a fact that the antidote to fear is love, love can feel very far away for someone who is experiencing fear.

What I would like to suggest is that amidst the fear you search your heart for a solid TRUTH. Truth, like love, will set you free.

Embodying Truth

Fear can feel very viscerally real, but a good question to ask in these moments is “What is just as, or more, REAL or TRUE in this moment? What do I KNOW to be true?”

The answer may emerge as an image, sensation, or a combination of information. Take some time to really digest this truth or knowing. Ideally, you want to allow the EMBODIMENT of this truth by connecting the words, feelings, sensations and any imagery or imaginal material that arises in relation to this truth.

One example might be to imagine the root system of a tree.

Feel yourself **BEING** the tree.
The roots are the truth that hold you in place amidst the winds of fear.
The underground ecosystem is like the ancient foundation and connection between nature, humans and the mytho-poetic or spiritual, that hold us in place and allow us to survive uncertainty, change, and the fear that comes with it.

Take a moment now and reflect…

Let your awareness drop internally within and track any sense of fear. Notice how fear feels in the body and where you notice this. As you follow these internal sensations, notice if thoughts, feelings, memories or images arise.

Take some time to write out what emerges… See if you can identify and articulate this fear.

Of course, this is but one exercise to work with fear and there are many more. Know, dear clients, that I am here to help. If you are experiencing fear or overwhelm due to these uncertain times, please don’t hesitate to get support and care.

In fact, this is a logical segway for our next blog series that will be coming to you bimonthly: “How do I know when it’s time to make an appointment and how will I benefit from your services?”

When to Reach Out

For me, I encourage you all to reach out and connect when you’re feeling scared, alone, lost, or overwhelmed.

I am here to help you get back to a sense of safety.
I am here to help you find your anchor so you can organize and metabolize whatever is eating at you.
I am here to help you remember your strengths and resources so you can rebuild your resiliency with support and loving guidance.

If you are in need of counsel, or just need a sounding board, or a soft place to land, I am here.

I am thinking of you all,

xo Kathlyn

When to Reach Out, How We Can Help — Managing Anxiety in Difficult Times