The gift of the pandemic
Increasingly, psychologists and other social and medical scientists are exploring the emotional, physical, economic and spiritual toll covid-19 has taken on the individuals, families and communities.
Many, such as psychologist Christine Runyan, are paying particular attention to how the direct and indirect symptoms of living with covid-19 affects the nervous system. (Dr. Runyan is the guest on the March 19, 2021 podcast of On Being with host Krista Tippett.)
Some of the most thorough studies of the effects of chronic stress have been done for and with those serving or living in a combat area for sustained periods of time. Being on hyper alert on a continuous basis step by step interrupt and eventually destroys the body’s ability to continue to function. One will see similar physical reaction to those who live with the continuous danger of racism. other forms of oppression, and with an active addiction (self or loved one). Living in and with a pandemic has some similar effects on everyone, but more so on those whose body has a history of chronic stress. For example, every black mother will tell you that their children, especially their male children, are taught to be on high alert in public and often even when home.
Anyone who has lived with an active addiction or another person who is actively addicted knows the worst part is not ever being able to relax. Even if the addict is not at home one cannot predict when he or she will suddenly make an appearance. They may be in a good mood, a violent mood or just not emotionally present. Their mood can change in a split section. The active addict will tell one that one never knows when their supply is going to dry up, when they might get some contaminated drugs or when the dope dealer or other person to whom they owe money might suddenly make demands they cannot meet.
Asians in this country have had to be on especially high alert since some in this country began to blame China and, by association, all Asians for covid -19. Those who have been trafficked as sex workers also experience constant stress.
All of us experience some day to day stress, some of us more than others, but usually with some time to relax and recharge.
When the body senses danger the autonomic nervous system is triggered and there is a fight or flight response. When the danger is past or the mind decides that one had a false alert one’s parasympathetic nervous system or the relaxation response kicks in. If one is no longer in danger, but the brain has learned to pair certain triggers one can learn mindfulness; be very intentional about letting oneself know one is not in danger.
With covid-19, not only has the message been danger, danger, danger to covid-19, one is also assaulted with messages such as the virus is a hoax, the vaccine is not safe or the whole thing is a conspiracy or ..... There is a host of conflicting messages which also causes or increases the anxiety. Added to that is a decrease of incoming positive stimuli such as normal, healthy touching, economic security (or illusion of same), rituals such as weddings, funerals, birthday celebrations, and the absence of positive or negative facial cues because of masks. For some not being able to lip read is stressful. The politicalizing of the pandemic has also added to the stress
As Dr. Runyan so clearly points out naming the reality of the stress is a step towards healthy coping. The response of one’s body is a normal, healthy attempt to respond to the active stress and is combined with the reduction in incoming positive stimuli. Listening to each other, validating the reality of the stress, and honoring it without letting it consume one is a step towards surviving as healthy as possible. Sadly, the response one gets from some politicians, and some other “extremists” increases the triggering of the autonomic nervous system.
Covid 19 is real. The danger is real. This danger is on top of the danger of a centuries of oppression, addictions and other chronic stressors . The gift of the pandemic, if we are willing to welcome the gift as a graduate course, is learning the systemic price of the chronic stress of all forms of oppression, addictions and other dehumanizing conditions.
Written March 20, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Increasingly, psychologists and other social and medical scientists are exploring the emotional, physical, economic and spiritual toll covid-19 has taken on the individuals, families and communities.
Many, such as psychologist Christine Runyan, are paying particular attention to how the direct and indirect symptoms of living with covid-19 affects the nervous system. (Dr. Runyan is the guest on the March 19, 2021 podcast of On Being with host Krista Tippett.)
Some of the most thorough studies of the effects of chronic stress have been done for and with those serving or living in a combat area for sustained periods of time. Being on hyper alert on a continuous basis step by step interrupt and eventually destroys the body’s ability to continue to function. One will see similar physical reaction to those who live with the continuous danger of racism. other forms of oppression, and with an active addiction (self or loved one). Living in and with a pandemic has some similar effects on everyone, but more so on those whose body has a history of chronic stress. For example, every black mother will tell you that their children, especially their male children, are taught to be on high alert in public and often even when home.
Anyone who has lived with an active addiction or another person who is actively addicted knows the worst part is not ever being able to relax. Even if the addict is not at home one cannot predict when he or she will suddenly make an appearance. They may be in a good mood, a violent mood or just not emotionally present. Their mood can change in a split section. The active addict will tell one that one never knows when their supply is going to dry up, when they might get some contaminated drugs or when the dope dealer or other person to whom they owe money might suddenly make demands they cannot meet.
Asians in this country have had to be on especially high alert since some in this country began to blame China and, by association, all Asians for covid -19. Those who have been trafficked as sex workers also experience constant stress.
All of us experience some day to day stress, some of us more than others, but usually with some time to relax and recharge.
When the body senses danger the autonomic nervous system is triggered and there is a fight or flight response. When the danger is past or the mind decides that one had a false alert one’s parasympathetic nervous system or the relaxation response kicks in. If one is no longer in danger, but the brain has learned to pair certain triggers one can learn mindfulness; be very intentional about letting oneself know one is not in danger.
With covid-19, not only has the message been danger, danger, danger to covid-19, one is also assaulted with messages such as the virus is a hoax, the vaccine is not safe or the whole thing is a conspiracy or ..... There is a host of conflicting messages which also causes or increases the anxiety. Added to that is a decrease of incoming positive stimuli such as normal, healthy touching, economic security (or illusion of same), rituals such as weddings, funerals, birthday celebrations, and the absence of positive or negative facial cues because of masks. For some not being able to lip read is stressful. The politicalizing of the pandemic has also added to the stress
As Dr. Runyan so clearly points out naming the reality of the stress is a step towards healthy coping. The response of one’s body is a normal, healthy attempt to respond to the active stress and is combined with the reduction in incoming positive stimuli. Listening to each other, validating the reality of the stress, and honoring it without letting it consume one is a step towards surviving as healthy as possible. Sadly, the response one gets from some politicians, and some other “extremists” increases the triggering of the autonomic nervous system.
Covid 19 is real. The danger is real. This danger is on top of the danger of a centuries of oppression, addictions and other chronic stressors . The gift of the pandemic, if we are willing to welcome the gift as a graduate course, is learning the systemic price of the chronic stress of all forms of oppression, addictions and other dehumanizing conditions.
Written March 20, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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