Resilience Tip: Loss, Revisited

Posted on April 28, 2021 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology

Just when things are looking hopeful on the COVID front, we may find ourselves less than elated. We may have encouragement from lower COVID case counts, hospitalizations and death rates. This is progress. But, sometimes progress and hope improve our outlook and at the same time we are left perhaps more discouraged when losses continue or resurface.

Many places are still seeing outbreaks, positive cases and deaths of staff and residents due to COVID or other factors. Outside of the workplace, we may be cautiously reuniting with our communities and loved ones.

Staring “normal” in the face can trigger some grief and feelings of heaviness. We may reflect on the loss we’ve endured, and continue to face, despite all the hope we can and should have. When you add social unrest and collective grief for all that has happened in the past year, it weighs heavily.

It’s okay to have an emotional reaction during this time in which hope is warranted. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed after a period of relief from all the losses is disrupted by yet more.

This week, you may want to purposefully revisit and acknowledge all that you, your staff, your family have endured. You can remain hopeful even when emotions don’t feel the most positive.

• What losses have you gritted your teeth through? What things can you do to bring some closure and peace for yourself and your teams and loved ones? Acknowledging the losses is a start. Remembering to take moments for yourself to do this as well.
• Remember that feeling less than gleeful despite so much improvement in COVID and “normalcy” of our world is okay, expected and “normal.” Be understanding with your staff and yourself when emotions run high with new losses, setbacks due to COVID, or other events that remind of all the loss and stress you’ve all endured.

For more information about stress relief during COVID-19, go to www.leadingagemncoaching.com.

At no charge, you can arrange virtual staff support groups through LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation’s COVID-19 Staff Coping & Support Line project. Contact Terri Foley at tfoley@leadingagemn.org or 651-815-8137.