MassArt recognizes that many people feel impacted by recent events in our country in both negative and positive ways. For the overall health of our community, here are some strategies to help manage feelings that may arise.
1) Acknowledge feelings. Reactions to events vary from person to person. Some experience intense feelings while others experience nothing at all. Allow yourself to feel what you feel and don’t judge your personal experience or the experience of others.
2) Practice reflection and pay attention to your early awareness signs. Allow yourself some time to reflect on your reactions, your personal history, and ways that your values and well-being feel threatened. If you can watch your own reactions to stress, you can then address them. This might be a tightening of your throat, tension in your muscles, negative evaluations of the other person, or an impulse to act out.
3) Stick to your routine. Maintaining your regular schedule of activities and taking care of your usual responsibilities can help engage you and reestablish a sense of normalcy and regularity.
4) Take care of yourself. Identify self-care activities that are important to you, and think about ways to incorporate them into your life. You can use this Self-Care Assessment to get started. Try self-soothing strategies like taking a walk, meditating, mindfulness exercises, listening to music, or whatever you find helpful. It’s also important for all of us to get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise
5) Limit your intake of news and social media. Constantly checking news feeds or other social media can increase your tension. Set aside specific times to check news and social media. Too much time online also can interfere with getting enough sleep.
6) Limit substance use. Drinking or partying to feel better might seem to help in the very short run but will leave you feeling depleted and ultimately lower.
7) Seek community. Sharing experiences and ideas with others can be a way to strengthen positive community values and shared identities. Seek out friends or family who care about you and help you feel safe and protected.
If you have tried these steps and are still feeling very stressed, down or despairing, you might consider reaching out to the Counseling and Wellness Center. You can drop by, call, or e-mail us at:
Counseling and Wellness Center
Kennedy 222
(617) 879-7760
counseling@massart.edu