It would be completely understandable that you’ve had a few high-tension pandemic moments in these trying times.

Maybe you had a stressful day of trying to juggle remote work and helping your child with school. Plus, spending all of your time with your family has created tension, having no relief in months. That lays the groundwork for a little incident to becoming a big moment.

However, there are steps you can take when you do experience these moments. Consider these three tips to deal with high-tension pandemic moments.

1. Turbo-Charge Your Communication

After an argument or disagreement, it’s time to boost your communication. Maybe right after the fight isn’t the best time, of course. Emotions are still running hot, and you both need time to cool down.

Agree to take time away from each other in different parts of your home, if possible. Decide when you will each return, and then begin a dialogue. However, this is where things get tricky.

Avoid blaming the other person to ensure that the communication doesn’t get bogged down into another high-tension pandemic moment. Keep it about yourself. For example, “I feel frustrated and overwhelmed right now because of quarantine.”

2. Have Compassion for the Other Person

Next, have compassion for the other person with whom you are experiencing a high-tension pandemic moment. One of the best ways to develop empathy is relating to what the other person is feeling or experiencing with your own life.

It’s unlikely you have had the same experience as someone else. However, in broader terms, we have all experienced similar feelings and emotions during this troubling experience, such as:

  • Happiness
  • Joy
  • Sorrow
  • Anger
  • Sadness
  • Excitement
  • Anticipation

When you are having an argument or disagreement with your teenager, for example, use compassion. lease think of the stress they are experiencing, dealing with remote schooling or disrupted friendships and activities. They may be feeling disappointment, anger, and even fear. Have you ever felt those emotions yourself?

3. Know That This Will Pass

We can’t be sure what things will be like in the future. However, history teaches us that all pandemics eventually fade. The journey to that point will still take time and commitment to appropriate measures such as wearing masks and physical distancing.

Eventually, this chapter in our lives will close. Keep that in mind, when you have a high-tension pandemic moment or feel overwhelmed with the situation’s anxiety and stress.

Remember, the stress you are feeling in the moment will also pass. You can help with this process by reducing stress when you can, including:

  • Spending time outside
  • Practicing mindfulness and deep breathing
  • Spending time off-line, such as reading a book or playing a board game.
  • Having a regular sleep schedule
  • Avoiding people or situations that you find toxic

Anxiety Counseling for Uncertain Times

Finally, consider participating in anxiety counseling. These uncertain times are stressful for everyone. Allow yourself the room for self-compassion and understand that we all are feeling anxious about this pandemic.

Anxiety counseling can help you learn tricks to sidestep anxiety when it arises. These methods will help you to avoid your mind from running out of control and having your anxiety skyrocket.

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It’s no surprise that you are experiencing some high-tension pandemic moments given the situation we are all in. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t cope with the anxiety. Keeping the above tips in mind will help.

Participating in anxiety counseling will allow you room to vent all that stress and find meaningful solutions. Please reach out to me today or visit my anxiety counseling page to learn more about how I can help.