Headline news this week announced that a growing list of European countries such as Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland and England have eased and, in some cases, ended their pandemic era restrictions. Additionally, in the United States, several regions and some states have ended or downsized their restrictions. While this is occurring, we also see numerous reports of hospitals and emergency rooms being overwhelmed with cases of Covid throughout the United States. Healthcare professionals are stating that they have never seen it so bad as it is right now. Reports of medical doctors, nurses and other health care professionals leaving their jobs and decades of work experience behind them. While both of these scenarios are true, the juxtaposition can naturally cause confusion and uncertainty.
All of us have suffered some degree of loss during these past two years. From the loss of feelings of safety, to socializing in the ways we used to, to learning in the methods we grew up with, to loss of family, friends, and people we admire. The toll has been enormous and continuous.
For those of us who have survived the past two years, some may be ready to accept the losses and begin to move forward. At the same time, however, we may be reluctant to talk about it because we don’t have a clear sense of the meaning of the past two years. Reflecting back to the Five Stages of Grief by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, MD, she identifies them as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. We all move through these suggested stages at our own pace. Significant to this discussion, Acceptance does not mean that everything is OK. Actually, it never may be the same or okay. This does not mean, however, that one cannot embrace a sense of tomorrow and hope for a future.
In his book entitled, Finding Meaning – The Sixth Stage of Grief (2020), David Kessler suggests that finding meaning beyond the six stages is what can transform grief into a more peaceful and hopeful experience.
Key Takeaways
Pandemic related restrictions are being lifted.
Confusion remains at the forefront for many people.
Learning to find meaning may assist us to move forward.
Best Practices
Take time to think about your grieving process.
Nourish your body, mind and spirit.
Celebrate what you have learned over the past two years.
Things to Limit
Isolating.
Placing unrealistic expectations on yourself.
Thinking that there is a specific timeline to grief.
Quote of the Week
“Grief never ends, but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness nor a lack of faith, it is the price of love”
~Donna VanLiere
In summary, as the pandemic continues to cause disruption and confusion, each of us carries the responsibility to better understand and learn what is needed to move beyond our limitations.
Be well,
The paraDocs
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The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer, at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
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