Willow's Bend Counselling Centre, Inc
139 Saskatchewan Avenue East R1N 0L7 Portage La Prairie, MB, Canada

FOUR TYPES OF PANDEMIC STRESS FOR CHILDREN There isn't a person on this earth who hasn't experienced some type of pandemic stress in 2020! However, some of the impacts are different for each child.... Some reactions are easier to notice than others. The important thing to remember is that these reactions are NORMAL reactions to ABNORMAL events! PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS include tummy aches, tiredness, thirst, rapid heart beat, and difficulties breathing. COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS include confusion, blaming others, nightmares, easily startled, poor attention, concentration & memory, and numbness. EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS include fears, sadness, irritability, tantrums, cries easily, nervous, anger, and inappropriate emotional responses. BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS include withdrawal, restlessness, overreactions, poor communication, behavioral outbursts, and tantrums. So, if you are seeing these reactions in your children (or yourself), stand on the knowledge that these are NORMAL reactions to the abnormal experience of living through a pandemic. Give them a hug...play...and take the pressure off!

Gordon Neufeld is one of my favorite psychologists. He captures the impact of parenting in a pandemic so well. Here is a video that he discusses how a pandemic is so difficult because of the separation that we are experiencing. https://www.youtube.com/watch

The anxiety during a pandemic can create a great deal of worry and fear. Here is a great article about understanding why anxiety is so high right now. (There is a link to Part 2 in the article.) https://adaa.org//compassionate-guide-anxiety-during-covid

Are you having strange dreams since the quarantine began? Here is an interesting video from a sleep specialist regarding "Pandemic Dreams" phenonemon. https://video.foxnews.com/v/6151165941001#sp=show-clips

[COPING WITH COVID-19 - COMPASSION] In times of high stress it is very common for people to lose compassion for each other, blame each other, or feel as if we are being attacked. Everyone’s stress is high right now and we are all just trying to get through it day by day. When we are under this much pressure, it is important to be compassionate with each other...even when it is hard! One of the best ways to do this is to use the "Assumption of Positive Intent." The Assumpti...on of Positive Intent is based on the belief that others are doing the best that they can. If their behavior is offensive or hurtful, having the compassion to understand that they may also be more stressed than usual. If we assume that they are doing the best that they can and may not have intended to be offensive, we actually reduce our own stress and may also help them lower the other person’s too. As hard as this may be to practice right now in our grocery stores, with family members, and with people we come in contact with, it is important to make the assumption that others are doing the best they can.

[COPING WITH COVID-19: COURAGE] The current pandemic has created significant stress and worry worldwide. During times of chaos, it is important to have strategies for coping and self-care. There are four main coping strategies for dealing with our responses to the events during this time: Courage, Compassion, Cooperation & Control. Courage is important so that we have the bravery to face the worries or fears that may come along with the current situations we are facing. ...This may include the bravery to talk with others and share these burdens. This will help decrease the emotional isolation we may feel during social distancing. In addition, parent’s courage to support their children despite being anxious or worried themselves is critical for children to manage their stress. Courage doesn't mean that we take risks or not follow precautions because we don't want to be fearful. Fear is an adaptive reaction when there is a true challenge to our well-being, health, or safety. We just don't want to get overwhelmed with fear that we become paralyzed or overwhelmed with anxiety.