I was a few minutes into a run when it happened. Moving fast along the grassy edge of a backwoods road, my left foot found the edge of a pothole, and my ankle rolled.
We Need Time to Rehabilitate from the Trauma of the Pandemic
Just like with a physical injury, rushing the recovery might only make things worse.
February 07, 2022
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Summary.
The early days of the pandemic were a shock, causing a spike in adrenaline, which stops us from feeling pain, so we can get out of danger, and spurs intense alertness to help us make better split-second decisions. Next was a period of prolonged psychic pain, which came from three deep psychological needs not being met: our needs for certainty, control, and connectedness. We’re now in the rehabilitation phase, which can be the most painful of all, because we need to dig a little deeper to rebuild, repair, and regrow. The author, cofounder of the Neuroleadership Institute, offers three pieces of advice: 1) Don’t move too fast. The closer you get to the finish line, the more likely you are to rush and have another setback. 2) Value progress. Name which skills have atrophied and remember that incremental progress is the key to recovery. 3) Remember that we’re all the working wounded. Have compassion for yourself and for others.