Post Pandemic: What We Need Right Now

It’s no secret: since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, life has been extra tough. Traumatizing, even. Mentally, emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually traumatizing. People are resilient, but virtually no one has passed through the pandemic unscathed. Here are three areas that have been hit particularly hard.

1) Feeling of Safety

However safe any given person felt prior to the pandemic, that feeling was certainly strained as a result of it. People got sick and many died. The economy was shut down, along with schools, churches, athletics, clubs, family reunions, birthday parties, Sunday dinners, and more. Social distancing became the new normal, and people were wearing masks. The news was all bad, social media became even more toxic, and new ideological lines began separating friends and families even more than stay-at-home orders.

2) Concept of Self-reliance

Prior to the pandemic, the economy was humming along pretty nicely overall. People had jobs, interest rates were low, and the markets were healthy. Then, without warning, our personal economies were disrupted, or worse. Many “non-essential” workers could no longer provide for themselves and their families. Some had to quit jobs because their children no longer had schools or daycares to go to. Many who were lucky enough to keep their jobs had to figure out balancing work-at-home with home-at-work. Otherwise self-reliant people began to realize just how dependent they are upon others and just how unprepared they were for a crisis. And for many, it became critical as businesses went from “shut-down” to “shuttered” and government intervention became a lifeline.

3) Sense of Belonging

Perhaps the worst part has been the isolation. We are social creatures who gain strength from being part of each others’ lives. Now, I know many introverts (present company included) who have taken to being around fewer people just fine. But society is built around being together, sharing space, touching, embracing. It’s about coming together to learn, to play, to cheer, to celebrate, to worship, to comfort, and to mourn. We tried, and every effort helped. But it wasn’t the same, and it wasn’t enough.

As restrictions lift and we take little steps to getting back to normal, we need to remember that everyone has gone through a lot. No one went into the pandemic free of unresolved trauma, and everyone has new traumas as we come out of it. Let’s be kind, compassionate and understanding with each other. Let’s be patient and tolerant. Let’s be a safe place for people to hurt, to struggle, and to heal. That’s what we need right now.

It’s a tall order, but we can do it, especially with the right help. Trauma is at the root of stress and stress is at an all-time high. The Stress Immunity Reboot is designed to get to the root of stress, soften the effects of trauma, and help us be our best selves so we can live our best lives. We all need this, now more than ever.