How to Heal From the Pandemic

What will it take to get back to normal after 14 months now of the pandemic?

The number of new daily coronavirus cases in California may be the lowest in the country and there may be about 12 million residents in the state now fully vaccinated, and there may be more business at businesses that have barely survived the shutdowns, and more schools may be reopening, but we are still several months away yet from getting back to normal.

And there have been signs for some time now that getting back to normal means a lot more healing of not only the economy, but of us.

We’ve all seen the reports going back many months about the increase in people seeking treatment for anxiety, depression and emotional problems.

Many mental health professionals, from psychiatrists and psychologists to massage therapists and acupuncturists report seeing more patients.

Suicide prevention experts have been concerned during the pandemic and working to help people who have been hit especially hard by the impacts of trying to get through this pandemic.

And there have been relationships between friends and even family members affected by clashing views about wearing or not wearing masks and about sending or not sending kids to school.

And of course, there have been the families who have lost loved ones to the virus and are going through grief that can linger.

It’s been said before, but this pandemic has affected us in many ways beyond what the virus can physically do to our bodies.

As we head toward normal, it would be good to remember what was said at the beginning of all this, that we are in this together. And getting back to normal will mean helping each other get there.

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND COPE WITH COVID-19.

(Photo Getty Images)