GREEN BAY (NBC 26) - Counselors tell us any type of change can cause stress, even if it's a good change like returning back to somewhat normal. So as we head back to the office, or the mini golf course, and begin re-socializing safely, mental health experts say you have to ask yourself, "What do I feel comfortable doing?"
Adding, we all handle stress differently. A good way to deal with it is to acknowledge how you're feeling because if you don't, you could end up breaking down.
"Whether it's crying over your dishes because they’re dirty or because something more serious has happened,” said Catherine Langdon, a Licensed Professional Counselor at ThedaCare Behavioral Health.
Langdon said, let people know how you're feeling and how they can help, even if helping is just by listening. By acknowledging how you're feeling and saying ‘I feel upset’ or ‘I feel anxious and this is what I’m going to do,’ it can help build your resilience for dealing with stress.
"I like using distress tolerance right now,” she said. “That's a dialectical behavioral therapy skill, included in that is radical acceptance which is saying I validate how I'm feeling, ‘I feel sad,’ ‘I feel upset,’ ‘I feel angry’ and ‘I understand and accept that other people may have different beliefs or have different values and I cannot do anything to change that right now.’"
She adds it’s also important to get into a normal routine, and know that things might look different when you're heading back out. That could mean it might take a little longer to check in at the gym or knowing you'll see less people when you return to work. She said realizing this will help when it comes to dealing with change. For more resources, click here.
