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If you& #39;re struggling mentally with lockdown measures easing - PLEASE remember that our brains are amazing.
If you& #39;re struggling to adjust right now, that means your brain has done its job perfectly in the face of a threat. 1/9
If you& #39;re struggling to adjust right now, that means your brain has done its job perfectly in the face of a threat. 1/9
Your brain adapted in just a few months, to measures that were incredibly unusual & unique (for most of us).
You know at the beginning remembering not to touch others, keep two metres distance, wash your hands more & use hand sanitiser was tricky? But now it& #39;s second nature? 2/9
You know at the beginning remembering not to touch others, keep two metres distance, wash your hands more & use hand sanitiser was tricky? But now it& #39;s second nature? 2/9
That& #39;s because your brain adapted, it did what it needed to do to survive.
We& #39;ve had it hammered into us that staying away from people = survival. Staying indoors = survival. Whilst some of these precautions must remain, our brains need to re-adapt as things change. 3/9
We& #39;ve had it hammered into us that staying away from people = survival. Staying indoors = survival. Whilst some of these precautions must remain, our brains need to re-adapt as things change. 3/9
That means we& #39;re going to have a period of overlap where some of our coping strategies or measures are going to feel weird, or wrong, or clunky, or unnatural - just like at the beginning of lockdown.
BUT, in time, we& #39;ll adjust, and be ready for whatever comes next. 4/9
BUT, in time, we& #39;ll adjust, and be ready for whatever comes next. 4/9
I guess this is all to say, if you& #39;re struggling with your mind right now, and you& #39;re being less than complimentary towards it - please remember that it did its job. Give yourself some credit, & some compassion for that. 5/9
This is perhaps also a note to self, more than anything else. But this is also something the people I am working with are struggling with right now, so I felt called to share.
How is this showing up for me? 6/9
How is this showing up for me? 6/9
I& #39;m watching TV & I think & #39;don& #39;t shake hands - coronavirus!!!& #39; I take a moment to remember that& #39;s my brains adaptation showing - trying to protect me. I don& #39;t bemoan it.
I& #39;m showing myself +++compassion as I re-enter a world that has been associated with anxiety & fear. 7/9
I& #39;m showing myself +++compassion as I re-enter a world that has been associated with anxiety & fear. 7/9
Taking MY time getting back to the things I did before.
Taking the pressure off, & not comparing myself to others.
I& #39;m taking every opportunity to check in with whether I& #39;m in flight/fight/freeze, & taking steps to shift into my rest & digest state where I can. 8/9
Taking the pressure off, & not comparing myself to others.
I& #39;m taking every opportunity to check in with whether I& #39;m in flight/fight/freeze, & taking steps to shift into my rest & digest state where I can. 8/9
Please, be gentle with yourselves folx, and remember - your brain did it& #39;s job! 9/9
#coronavirus #lockdowneasing #lockdon #mentalhealth #selfcare #compassion @PhD_Balance @academicchatter @chron_ac #phdlife #phdchat
#coronavirus #lockdowneasing #lockdon #mentalhealth #selfcare #compassion @PhD_Balance @academicchatter @chron_ac #phdlife #phdchat
