With the pandemic raging on into a third wave, with numbers (and deaths in some areas) apparently spiking, and my adopted state of Tennessee currently boasting the current lowest ICU availability rates in the nation, COVID-19 is the one thing touching everyone virtually everywhere on earth right now.
That alone is striking, isn’t it?
I tested positive this past Tuesday. So between Telehealth sessions (Thank God for that!) frequent naps, walks for fresh air, taking my dogs out, and binging on Star Trek TOS, why not keep the blog updated? Not much else to do in full quarantine.
I do not know where I contracted it. Like most, I barely go anywhere. I have one suspicion, and that’s my gym. I rationalized continuing to go because it’s in a huge warehouse type space with large garage doors always kept open. Plenty of space and I didn’t engage in super close contact, So maybe there, but I cant be sure.
Fortunately, three days in, it seems to only be getting milder, which supports the theory that if you have no pre-existing health struggles, a strong immune system, and aren’t obese and/or diabetic, in most cases, its mild. Though there are bizarre outliers, I’ve heard of a few. This thing is shapeshifty.
One thing I see virtually all my clients struggling with is where the line is— between caution and overkill. Not so much in terms of mask wearing, but involvement and engagement in living life vs retreat and isolation. And so much of this confusion lies (no pun intended) in not know what to believe, who to listen to, what is fact, and what’s fiction when it comes to this situation.
Facts and truth seem to be scarce commodities these days. Hopefully that’s taken a turn for the better.
Another thing I cant help but be aware of is the spectre of shame surrounding contracting the virus. When I tested positive I felt: frustrated, disappointed, bummed out to have to quarantine, and concerned about passing it on to my family. But not ashamed. I did not feel it or take it as evidence of my not being fundamentally okay, such as shame would like to convince us.
Yet, I see people clearly loathed to admit getting it, clearly feeling shame about it. And we see in schools and other institutions, when someone tests positive that person is not be named. I understand and support privacy (what little of it remains on todays earth), but when someone comes down with the seasonal flu, there’s no anonymity mandate, is there?
Isn’t that interesting?
What’s the difference here with COVID-19? I don’t know. Just bloggin’ out loud.
On a different and more hopeful note, I’ve started to wonder as if this virus came along to force us back to the simplicity, patience, and compassion written about in the Tao Te Ching as a manual for life’s myriad challenges. Perhaps in more ways than one we needed this, as individuals, as a culture, a species. I wish it didn’t have to entail so many casualties of course, but there are upsides to any global re-set event such as this. Some become clear immediately— like the upper atmospheric clearing due to sharp traffic reduction during wave one. Others will take time to emerge, likely in the form of health care, education and tech innovations the pandemic will no doubt spur.
There is a shift happening. and COVID is a catalyst. It will just take time to be fully recognized and appreciated That I do believe. (And I don’t fully believe much).
On the immediate micro level however is the day to day challenges we all face in basic coping with this ever uncertain landscape of pandemic life. Interpersonally, physically, economically, emotionally, psychological, existentially. It’s touched my family, friends, clients and me on every level (even more so since testing positive).
Here’s something I’ve noticed:
Aside from ramping up self care—plenty of sleep, eating well, practicing mindfulness, keeping the body moving, staying connected at least virtually to friends and loved ones, and keeping Zinc, Vit D and C levels high (which I hope is all of us), those that cope the best have two advantages.
One is having been, pre-pandemic, in a pretty good/stable state of mind and possessing a general sense of control (of what can be controlled, and a healthy ability to let go of that which cannot be) and a leaning optimism. Meaning a bias toward that the world is a generally safe place, benevolent, conspires for us (not against us), as well as a general hopefulness
I would add to this cart a general sense of feeling connected and loved. For immunity functioning alone, that’s a boon.
The second advantage is having no significant unhealed/unaddressed pre-existing traumas, or having previously addressed underlying traumas with a reasonable degree of success—meaning, not actively or easily triggered by the memory or talk of them any longer.
And certainty, those with mental health support going in tend to fair better than those without it when a compounding and life-derailing situation like this touches down.
The trauma piece is important because traumatic events latch onto, awaken, and exacerbate pre-existing traumas within us. (Read that again).
I’ve seen this to be the case my whole career.
While everyone responds differently, and there’s no “normal/abnormal” response, whenever someone has a response to a current stressor that appears far beyond what would be expected for that particular event, that’s always my indication that there is likely unaddressed, subconsciously-held, pre-existing traumas being activated.
The customized Energy Healing approach I call my Subconscious Heal and Release® can quickly identify pre-existing traumas—”Little T” as well as “Big T” on the deeper mind (subconscious) and somatic (body-based) levels using my muscle testing process. The process harnesses the Spiritual Science of The Spoken Word, and my own claircognizant (clear knowing) and clairsentient (clear sensing) ability in tandem with the Higher Self to access exactly what is in the way of our healing and alignment with the state we wish to achieve.
I’m finding this to be especially helpful for my clients in helping them in coping with uncertainly, cuing their immune system to remain strong and healthy, and cultivating hope, optimism and resiliency throughout the pandemic.
This service is available via Telehealth the world over on a coaching/consultation basis and “a la carte.” No formal therapy agreement required, or as part of my Integrative Counseling specialty.
Visit Therapy Outside the Box for more information and to set up a FREE 20 MINUTE Phone Consult.
Peace to You and Yours,
Chris Hancock, LCSW, ACMHP