avatarMike Schoenhofer, MSW

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avoid obsessively reading, watching or listening to the news.</p><p id="85cf">Tip #2 — Notice Your Feelings as they arise and name them.</p><p id="243e">Tip #3 — You are not helpless or powerless — get back into a routine.</p><p id="0e60">Tip #4 — Get Moving. Get some exercise. Eat and sleep well.</p><p id="f638">Tip #5 — Reach Out to Others. A connection is so important.</p><p id="35aa">Tip #6 — Put significant life decisions on hold for a while.</p><figure id="1cf1"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*gU5jFQuglxoHQMN0TQF9YQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo: Schoenhofer</figcaption></figure><blockquote id="f913"><p><i>“Acknowledging fear takes the sting out of it. Resisting or denying fear makes it lurk by your side constantly.”</i></p></blockquote><blockquote id="cd7e"><p><i>“Love and accept yourself just as you are, fear and all. The fearful part is like a small child that needs to be heard and reassured. Embrace it. Recognize the part is afraid, and let it exist next to your level headedness.” (</i>Dr. Christine Bradstreet, <a href="https://readmedium.com/its-okay-to-be-afraid-c3f75d9053a4">It’s OK to be Afraid</a>)</p></blockquote><p id="1191">Yes. I feel sad and fearful. And yes, it isn’t always about big stuff. But when I acknowledge this sadness, I know I am connecting with people everywhere who feel the same as I do.</p><p id="d10c">Stay Safe.</p><p id="6e5d">Here are some more great reads.</p><div id="b307" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/trauma-calm-30dbbd3b6357"> <div> <div> <h2>Trauma Calm</h2> <div><h3>Thoughts from coping with trauma, C-PTSD, and Corona</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*td9RXy2PSFY-fHKA)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="4e16" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/its-okay-to-be-afraid-c3f75d9053a4"> <div>

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            <h2>It’s Okay to be Afraid</h2>
            <div><h3>Let fear and level headedness exist side by side.</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><div id="c9e7" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-search-for-silver-linings-during-the-coronavirus-insidesources-450273ae6270">
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          <div>
            <h2>The Search for Silver Linings During the Coronavirus — InsideSources</h2>
            <div><h3>Silver linings are sometimes impossible to find, especially when the subject is the isolation, trauma and morbidity…</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><div id="6961" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-nature-heals-trauma-5688aee9b837">
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          <div>
            <h2>How nature heals trauma</h2>
            <div><h3>Being in open spaces and nature has allowed Kate Hoit to “walk off the war”</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*[email protected])"></div>
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      </a>
    </div><ul><li>Check out more helpful tips — <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/dealing-with-uncertainty.htm">Dealing With Uncertainty During the Coronavirus Pandemic</a></li><li>The <a href="https://www.wecarepeople.org/cism">CISM Team</a> responds to traumatic events for first responders, schools, organizations, and businesses.</li></ul></article></body>

Thoughts by Myself #16 — Fear is Normal.

Reduce Fear, Don’t Eliminate It.

Sketch: Schoenhofer

Last night, watching the Phantom of the Opera (Andrew Lloyd Webber) on TV, I got caught up in the magic of the show. At the end, I felt sad watching so many actors on stage in the Albert Hall in London, and the hall filled with people. I wondered would I would ever get to go to an auditorium, a ballpark, or a stadium without fear of catching a deadly disease. I know this is petty and small, but I felt sad.

Many people are suffering far worse situations than not being able to go to a show or a concert or even see your kids in a school play. People are suffering from job loss, illness, even domestic violence. But going to a show was a bit of relief from the harsh reality of life. Now the “magic” that actors and musicians bring to the stage, or sporting events bring to fans, seems like a distant memory or a future dream.

It Is Fear.

We are all experiencing some level of trauma these days. Trauma shatters our sense of security, and we feel helpless and vulnerable. These feelings are a normal reaction to this situation and they manifest in many forms — emotional, physical, and cognitive.

Emotional Symptoms

Shock and disbelief — — — Sadness or Grief — — — Helplessness — — — Guilt — — — Anger — — — Shame — — — Relief — — — Agitation

Physical Symptoms

Dizzy — — — Trembling — — — Racing Thoughts — — — Disturbed sleep patterns — — — Aches and pains — — — Loss of or increase in appetite — — — Headaches

Cognitive

Confusion — — — Poor Problem Solving — — — Loss of Time — — — Hyper Vigilance

There is no right or wrong way to feel. Here are a few tips to help deal with fear, anxiety, and uncertainty:

Tip #1 — Minimize Media Exposure — avoid obsessively reading, watching or listening to the news.

Tip #2 — Notice Your Feelings as they arise and name them.

Tip #3 — You are not helpless or powerless — get back into a routine.

Tip #4 — Get Moving. Get some exercise. Eat and sleep well.

Tip #5 — Reach Out to Others. A connection is so important.

Tip #6 — Put significant life decisions on hold for a while.

Photo: Schoenhofer

“Acknowledging fear takes the sting out of it. Resisting or denying fear makes it lurk by your side constantly.”

“Love and accept yourself just as you are, fear and all. The fearful part is like a small child that needs to be heard and reassured. Embrace it. Recognize the part is afraid, and let it exist next to your level headedness.” (Dr. Christine Bradstreet, It’s OK to be Afraid)

Yes. I feel sad and fearful. And yes, it isn’t always about big stuff. But when I acknowledge this sadness, I know I am connecting with people everywhere who feel the same as I do.

Stay Safe.

Here are some more great reads.

Coronavirus
Life
Life Lessons
Self Improvement
Self Care
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