As reopening begins in uncertain coronavirus times, you need emotional protective equipment, too – The Conversation US

As millions across the U.S. prepare to return to work and maybe, a level of normalcy the phrase, Were all in this together, heard constantly in the media, turns out to be both true and untrue. Yes, the pandemic is a global experience. But its also very much an individual enterprise.

Your race, age, socioeconomic status, where you live and whether or not children are in the house all have a dramatic impact on how youre responding to the pandemic. For many, aside from the isolation, life has changed little. But others have lost family, friends, a paycheck or a business. For some of them, any sense of security has vanished.

Much has been written about the need for personal protective equipment, or PPE. But now, as we face reentry, its time to develop our EPE emotional protective equipment. And theres no better time than May when the National Alliance on Mental Illness observes Mental Health Awareness Month to begin the conversation.

As health and medical educators at Michigan State University, we research, counsel and teach about wellness, resiliency and support, particularly for vulnerable populations. After a tragedy, whether natural or man-made, we know that an increase in stress, anxiety, depression, substance use or post-traumatic stress disorder often follows. But there are things individuals can do to help themselves, and things organizations can do to help others. Lets look at a few of them.

We can practice skills rooted in stress management, mindfulness and self-compassion. First, we must recognize the current circumstances are legitimately stressful. Exercising, eating right, regulating sleep and keeping a routine as best you can will strengthen your body and mind to manage these very real stressors.

Next, we must practice self-kindness. If youre an adult, youve already dealt with uncertainty and survived. Perhaps youve even thrived. Thinking I cant cope and This is too much for me not only makes you feel worse; the thoughts are usually incorrect. Instead, research suggests that talking to yourself the way a friend would talk to you, with accurate and helpful phrases reduces anxiety. Say to yourself: Ive been through scary and uncertain things in the past and made it through. Or These past few weeks and months have been filled with uncertainty, but Im still surviving.

Another strategy that works: Find distance between yourself and your thoughts, the essence of mindfulness. For example: When experiencing an anxious thought, notice it, name it, then release it. You dont need to buy in to the thought; instead, stay focused on the present moment.

Granted, its easy to get pulled into worrying about the future, or for that matter, dwelling on the past, particularly while bombarded by anxious thoughts or negative news. Truth is, no one knows whats going to happen over the next few months. Staying in the present helps you detach from depressing or anxiety-provoking thoughts. In turn, youll feel a greater sense of control over the here and now.

Finally, be mindful of the quality and quantity of information you take in. In uncertain times, we try to calm our fears by gathering as much information as we can. But research has found the more media we consume, the higher the toll on our mental health. Be aware of whats going on, of course but dont let yourself lose hours every day to news or social media.

Organizations can use well-known principles to help employees and clients heal. First, they have to be physically safe. If youre an employer, follow guidelines to protect them from COVID-19 as they return to work. And tell them what precautions youre taking.

Make sure employees are psychologically safe. Listen to the people who work for you. Dont dismiss their thoughts, concerns, feelings or experiences; ask them what they need. You may not be able to do everything they ask, but do what you can. Be trustworthy, transparent and do what you say youre going to do.

Foster collaboration, mutuality, empowerment, voice and choice. Some decisions, like following safety procedures, are not optional. But provide choices whenever possible and give a voice to everyone. Recognize, particularly during reentry, that not everyone will be back to normal at the same time. By sharing decision-making with your employees, an organization can empower its workforce and promote a safe and collaborative environment, even during a pandemic.

Finally, acknowledge cultural, historical and gender issues. Crises such as this are typically hardest on groups already marginalized. Real voice, influence, power and equity for minorities and women are especially critical right now.

The collective trauma of the pandemic is not yet behind us. The messy prospect of reopening and processing is ahead. We cant predict precisely whats next, but we can fortify our collective resilience and mental health. As individuals, we can develop our emotional protective equipment. As institutions, we can support our people. As a society, we can reflect on the gross inequities highlighted by the crisis and rally around the worthy cause of addressing them.

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As reopening begins in uncertain coronavirus times, you need emotional protective equipment, too - The Conversation US