10 Therapist Tips for Finding Hope in Dark Times

Unfortunately, this year we did not have a quiet and happy time, given the many unhappy events that took place in the last months, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial crisis that many Americans face and the racial trauma that our country is going through right now. All these unfortunate events contribute to the accumulation of stress in everyone’s life and people need to find a way to deal with this struggle. 

Another negative effect of the coronavirus outbreak is longer-term collective trauma. Collective trauma refers to stress and other psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, that are shared by a group of people who all experience the same event. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “the coronavirus disease pandemic may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. However, these actions are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.”

So, here are some tips for finding hope in a difficult time, according to therapists. Read on for more info!