Minimizing Stress by Changing your Vocabulary
How you can Start Minimizing Stress during COVID-19:
By: Jenna Rosenau, LCSW
As you are adapting to this new normal, you may be struggling with your routines and the extra time you’re spending at home. You may be having an urge to “keep busy”, complete a task, take up a new activity/hobby or engage in fitness. You may be watching people through the social media lens do things that you “wish” you could do, or feel that you “should” be doing. This is a unique time for us, and vulnerability, uncertainty and fear is setting in for individuals in different ways. One way you can be gentle with yourself during this uncertain time is to refrain from putting extra pressure on yourself. Be kind to yourself. You’ve been through a lot!
See below for more info!
Should: Verb
“Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone’s actions.” Sometimes we can neglect our own needs in order to fulfill obligation because we “think” we “should.”
How a simple word like “should” places added pressure on ourselves:
We can engage in negative self- talk. “I’m not good enough because I should be doing this.”
It can create a false perception of what our ideal life “should” be like.
It can create “black and white” thinking patterns. “If I don’t do this, then I’m a lazy person.”
We can also see how cognitive distortions can creep in (see previous blog for more information). “If I don’t do this, I know I will never do it and the entire house will fall apart.”
~Try challenging the word “should” throughout your time spent in quarantine. If this word happens to sneak into your vocabulary, try replacing it with, “I will when I am able” or “I don’t have to do this right now, but I would like to complete, X at some point.” You can also challenge this word by asking yourself, “Should according to who?”
Philadelphia therapist, Jenna Rosenau, LCSW
Jenna is a therapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at A Better Life Therapy. Jenna supports individuals, couples, and families overcome anxiety and depression. She specializes in those struggling with the impact of chronic or sudden illness and has extensive experience working with those navigating the stress, grief, and frustration of the medical system.
To read more about Jenna click here.