Open to Hope

Stay Connected, Strong, and Creative

Friday, March 20, 2020

Heidi and I recently had an online get-together through Facebook Live with our friend, Alan Pedersen.  During our discussion, we talked about coping strategies for these uncertain times due to fear over the health and financial impact from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s normal to experience anxiety and stress right now. Even more so, those that have lost loved ones to illnesses can experience triggers from the current health concerns. What We Can Do While we can’t make things go back to the way they were, we have control over what we can do now, including adhering to all the current […]

Complicated Grief

Coronavirus Versus 9/11 Fear is Real

Monday, March 9, 2020

911

. In today’s Facebook Live discussion, Heidi and I talked about the similarities in feeling between the current Coronavirus epidemic and 9/11 in 2001. In both situations, there is fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and concern over death and dying. Although 9/11 was more sudden than the Coronavirus epidemic has been building over time. Both have released triggers in many people related to past losses. For example, a child who lost a parent may now fear that the Coronavirus may take their other parent away. Even those that suffered during 9/11 are starting to feel anxiety and dread return. This is especially […]