The novel coronavirus pandemic has been followed by a second pandemic – the emotional fallout from COVID-19. And with the now widely acknowledged and longstanding epidemic of racial injustice, police brutality, and the frequent killings of African Americans at the hands of law enforcement officers, a “trifecta of suffering” has emerged. And the 8 minute, 46-second death of George Floyd witnessed by the world has elicited a global reaction.
A Trifecta of Suffering
These events have triggered turmoil and a wide range of emotions – fear, horror, disbelief, grief, heartbreak, anger, resentment, rage, an ignited sense of purpose and a reactivated commitment to action. For some, eyes have been opened, and for others overwhelming physical and emotional exhaustion has set in.
This epidemic has widespread implications for the health and well-being of its victims (and society as a whole), with multigenerational impacts sometimes noted down to a cellular level.
The array of “isms,” (racism and sexism to name two) resident in 2020 societies, and the impact of the discrimination which results, contribute to health inequity, a condition which ultimately is detrimental to us all.
- Q&A: Racism, Disparities, and the Health of the Nation | MedPage Today
- ‘It just weighs on your psyche’: Black Americans on Mental Health, Trauma, and Resilience | STAT
- When It’s Okay to Not Be Okay | Psychology Today
Embracing Change
Acknowledge, reflect, and examine your emotions and those of others without judgment.
Don’t Bite the Hook by Pema Chödrön helps you gain a perspective which will invite you to stay centered, find the root of your anger, and awaken one’s compassion for self and others.
Real change follows when you embrace uncertainty. As Margaret Wheatley of Mindful writes, “…we don’t have to agree with each other in order to think well together. There is no need for us to be joined at the head. We are already joined by our human hearts.”
- Don’t Be So Sure | Mindful
- Don’t Bite the Hook | Pema Chödrön
- Here’s What Your Anger Is Telling You – And How You Can Talk Back | IDEAS.TED.COM
- How To Transform Anger Into Something Positive | PeopleTweaker
- The Opportunity in Adversity | Eckhart Tolle
- Your Anger is a Guide: Embrace It and Set Yourself Free | Tiny Buddha
Finding Inspiration
Processing the myriad feelings you may have as well as effectively channeling the energy which propels them can provide inspiration for a path toward healing.
- Rise Up | Music by Andra Day
- The Flower – We Can Be The Healing | Music by Michael Franti
- Lean on Me | Music by Bill Withers
- Writing About Wounds | American Psychological Association
This is one of several special editions of Are You Ready To Be Tweaked? It’s brought to you by PeopleTweaker and focused on COVID-19. Get all the resources and tips from previous newsletters here or in our COVID-19 resource toolkit.
Knowledge is power. Get the facts from the Centers for Disease Control.
DISCLAIMER: The information, resources, links and/or references (collectively, the “Materials”) contained herein are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as medical or other professional advice. No representation or warranty of any kind is made in connection with the content of the Materials. The Materials may not be current and no one should take any action based on the Materials without first consulting their health care professional. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions, or strategies of her employer, and/or their respective organizations. Publication in this book should not be considered an endorsement.
Be Less Stressed © Z. Colette Edwards, 2020 – These materials may not be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold, or exploited for any purpose without express written permission granted by the author.
If you are in crisis, an additional resource may be the toll-free, 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
