Pastoral Care
Making the right moves
Making decisions based on changing health advice
With changing restrictions and updates on Health advice is can be a trying times. While we have the physical toll of having COVID or supporting members of family that have it, we also have the impact that COVID has on our Mental Health and changing rules place a strain. Here is a short article from Black Dog Institute , written by Associate Professor Jill Newby with some advice:
Keep track of worrying
We can get stuck stewing about a problem or overthinking things, without realising it. Keeping track, by writing down when you worry, how long you spend worrying, and what you worry about, will help you recognise these thinking patterns. Look out for ‘what if?’ questions: what if I get sick? What if I lose my job? What if I make the wrong decision? What if it doesn’t get better?
Are you overthinking?
Helpful thinking can allow you to find solutions, while excessive worry can leave you feeling exhausted and upset. Use these ‘rules of thumb’ to check if you’re worrying too much. Is it going on too long (30 mins or longer)? Is it leading to more and more thinking, rather than a plan, decision or action? Are you thinking about a question that can’t be answered? If you answered Yes, and you feel you’re worrying too much, you may need to consciously work to reduce your stress.
Channel your worry into action
Is there something positive you can do to either plan for, prevent, or solve the problem you’re worrying about? If so, think about possible solutions, their pros and cons, and choose one to try out.
Re-focus
If the problem can’t be solved, try to get relief from worrying too much by doing something you can focus on, like physical activity, listening to music, talking to friends or loved ones, or a task that requires your full attention. Learning meditation can help to gain strategies for re-focusing on the present moment.
Focus on what you can control
That might be taking each day at a time, staying off social media if it makes your worrying worse, or doing things that help you feel safe, and secure, and more in control.
It's ok not to get things perfect
Trust that you’re doing the best you can at the moment, given the circumstances. The decisions you are making are the best of your ability right now, and that it’s ok not to get things perfect. Easing the pressure and being kinder to yourself in the way you speak to yourself might help you to worry less.
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The Pastoral Care Team