From the Desk of Pierre R. Arty, M.D.
Dear Abounding Grace Family:
This is clearly an anxiety provoking time for all of us regardless if we are in the trenches physically examining patients, or homeschooling children. Daily we are bombarded by information from the rapidly increasing numbers of the infected to the unclear information and at times rumors being given from every level of government. We are all subjected to this and none of us are immune to potential anxiety, frustration, fear, depression, anger or any other stress reactions that can be experienced from the pressures we are presently under.
As we have been studying the names of God during this time, I want to mention a name that has strengthened me throughout the most challenging times of my life. God is Jehovah Shalom. He is my peace and your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). He is the peace that will overcome all stress reactions. Pastor Lou reminded us this Sunday that God is with us, traveling in our boat as we are sailing through this global health crisis. Our pastors will continue to minister to our spirits, and I understand this week they will be providing us with daily devotionals.
Being a Christian in the field of Mental Health I would like to provide some well thought out suggestions that you may also find helpful to build capacity to endure this season of our lives. The suggestions are very practical and are consistent with that of many mental health specialists involved in the field of Wellness. They are clearly not limited to what I have documented below but if you were asking yourself how you were going to get through this pandemic with your mind and emotions intact, they may be helpful:
- Take care of yourself. Practicing self-care sustains the ability to care for those in need which of course includes your loved ones. Learn to appreciate yourself and all you do such as coming to work, volunteering your time for a noble cause, or looking after your family every day.
- Meet your basic needs: Be sure to eat, drink and sleep regularly. Becoming biologically deprived places you at risk. Please remember that exercise is very important in any limited capacity. Also, as I had mentioned in church, if you are doing something to compromise your lung function such as smoking, this is the best time to either stop or severely reduce smoking.
- Stay updated but limit media exposure: Depending on your make up, you may want to get as much information as possible. If so, make sure this is a trusted source such as the CDC. The news wants to keep you looking at the news to increase your emotional response so be careful with this. Research has shown that excessive media exposure to coverage of stressful events increases negative mental outcomes.
- Know your limits: If you know that you are not in a good mental or physical place to carry out a task, reach out and speak to someone. At the very least, know your limitations.
- Self-Check-Ins: Monitor yourself for any symptoms of depression or stress. Mood, appetite, and sleep changes can all be symptoms related to the pressures of stress.
- Take breaks: Give yourself a rest if needed and whenever possible allow yourself to do something unrelated to work or your day to day activities that you find comforting such as talking to a friend, listening to music, reading a book, or starting a personal project or hobby.
- Contact family: In this age of social distancing, we have enough technology to contact friends and family. As Pastor Lou mentioned, we may be physically distant, but we have the technology to maintain our connection with one another.
- Connect with colleagues: Talk with your colleagues and receive support from one another. We spend more time with our colleagues in the week than we may be spending with our biological family.
- Honor your service: This is the big picture. Remind yourself that you are fulfilling a noble calling taking care of those most in need. This of course includes the spiritual care of our church family.
- Have an attitude of gratefulness and appreciation: Be appreciative of what you have such as a measure of health, present employment if you are employed, and whatever else you personally find to appreciate and treasure at this time. This helps. I can testify to that.
Eddie Milan
Thank you Doc for your words of encouragement and wisdom I am blessed to read them as well as I am sure everyone else is blessed I think God for you and a church of devoted people who continue to teach us and empower us to God’s glorious way. Many blessings and hugs to you and Wendy and your loved ones .