Combined Roles during the pandemic and how you can take care of yourself

By: Holly Numan

            We can all agree that 2020 (and 2021 still) has thrown our lives and our version of what is normal for a loop. Those little breaks to be ourselves don’t happen and we look back and wish we hadn’t taken them for granted. For instance, when was the last time you blasted your favorite jam on the radio as soon as you dropped your kid off for school and headed to work? When was the last time you took a little extra care in your makeup routine before heading out with friends or loved ones? Being stuck at home in an uncertain world has many drawbacks, but what is it doing to your mental health?

            For those that live alone, like myself, I am looking for new ways to connect to others that takes more planning and a heavy reliance on technology. Others that are living with significant others, and children as well, could be feeling a different type of mental health drain.

            According to many licensed professional counselors, being able to separate the different roles we play can be difficult when work life, social life, and home life are now combined in one space. Many have had to juggle these different versions of themselves and try to keep the peace with everyone else under the same roof, also combining their roles. Kids used to have breaks such as recess with other children; now they have to rely on breaks with parents, assuming they can take time away from their work schedule to provide this break.

            Despite the stress this can cause in those parent and child relationships, there are different things that one can do. Taking turns engaging with kids, allowing the other parent to have some “me time” is just one possibility. Maybe you use this time to work on a project, with out interruption. Or maybe you use this time to reevaluate your priorities and what is needed for your own personal mental health.

            If you struggle with finding that space to destress and to take care of yourself, or you just don’t know how, Wisconsin Anxiety and Depression Clinic can help. Call or email today for an appointment today.
 
For the full article; Far away, so close: Negotiating relationships during COVID-19 - Counseling Today
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