In an earlier post, I wrote about the first stage of grief, denial. You may be having moments of another stage, anger. One psychological theory says anger masks fear, but to my mind anger is more useful because it’s an energizing emotion and impels us to act. Fear can be immobilizing.
Of course, unabated and persistent fury isn’t good for your health. If you find yourself swirling in rage, you’re dumping stress hormones into your body. Using your large muscles is a great way of releasing those hormones, so get out there and walk, run, hit a ball against the garage, dance to loud music, bike, pull weeds with abandon, just engage in some form of physical activity. Walking’s my salvation. For you it may be cleaning the house (unfortunately not my go-to). Then, when you quiet down, listen to the call of creativity that’s begging for your attention. How can you apply your intellect to whatever part of the COVID-19 situation is currently infuriating you? What considered action are you prompted to take? Maybe you need to be writing emails or letters to people of influence, talking to the bank or landlord, starting a chat room with your colleagues or staff members, repurposing your services or products—you get the idea. Let the juices flow, take notes, don’t get overwhelmed. All you need is to take one small step for forward movement.
Don’t be afraid of anger. If you feel and name the emotion, without fueling it with additional negative thoughts, it’ll dissipate on its own in about ninety seconds (that’s from Jill Bolte Taylor, neuroanatomist and author of My Stroke of Insight.) I can attest the strategy works. You’ve got this, just hang in there.
How do you work through dark emotions? Please comment in the box below.
Sending you appropriately physically distanced encouragement—and reminding you to back off doing, reading or watching that which upsets you.