Check out the EBS Presents conversation with Ally Wold that informed the story below
By Bella Butler EBS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
BIG SKY—With the paramount danger of the contagious COVID-19 virus dictating the societal day-to-day, another threat lurks in the background. While physical health is a prominent concern, mental health may also be at risk in the midst of extreme uncertainty spurred by the global pandemic.
Ally
Wold, a licensed marriage and family therapist, suspects that fear of the virus
paired with economic strife and other tangential concerns may instigate a rise
in mental health challenges, namely anxiety and depression.
“I
think when we get out of our routines [and] we’re asked to do things
differently, I think that can kind of get anybody on edge,” Wold said during a March
24 phone interview.
Wold
also recognized that while these are challenging circumstances for many, some
people may be more vulnerable to emotional struggles than others. Individuals
who have a history with anxiety or depression, Wold said, are more likely to
experience symptoms during this unusual period. “We can all have some sort of
spectrum of anxiety or depression; we all have moods that we can feel … but
some people are going to be more prone to the extremes of that.”
For
many, though, dealing with a pandemic of this scale is likely unprecedented,
and everyone will assume their own sets of challenges. Luckily, Wold believes
there are varying degrees of efforts that can combat discomforts.
Wold
sees the less populated Big Sky area as a treasured opportunity to get outside
without the worry of being closely surrounded by others. “We do have a lot of
options here which is really nice for people to still be able to do those
things, feel a little bit more normal, get a little space from the people that
you’re stuck with in your house and still have some sense of relief,” the
therapist said.
For
the time that must be spent working, in many current cases from home, Wold
suggests that it’s best to try and maintain a normal routine and identify how
best to transition to “work mode.” Wold said to attempt channeling an inner
child and “find your homework spot,” a place where interruptions will be few
and far between and frustrations can be best avoided.
An
additional source of heightened stress for many is a constant influx of
information from sources that don’t always agree and often exaggerate, according
to Wold. It’s best to limit media time, she said, especially for those already
feeling some level of anxiety. She suggests identifying a credible source that
offers facts and recommendations, nothing more, and choosing a brief daily
window to consume this information.
When
do you know that your anxiety or depression is reaching a level of concern?
Wold offers a simple tool to answer this question. Identify your own feelings
of anxiousness or melancholy on a scale of one to five. If necessary, enlist
someone close to you and ask them to gauge your behavior for you.
“If
you’re running at a four or five all the time, something needs to be done,
probably, to help you calm down,” Wold said. Solutions to de-stress could
include talking to a friend, reading, journaling or spending time outside. But,
she says, only the individual can truly discern when their feelings and
behaviors warrant professional help.
For
those less concerned about their own mental health and worried instead about
someone else in close proximity, Wold advises that the cultural fear of
discussing unpleasant topics be set aside in the interest of compassion.
“If
you’re coming from a loving place, I think most people have a pretty good
response to a caring suggestion or even just a caring question.”
Fall Community Cleanse at Santosha Wellness Center October 4-17.
Join Callie Stolz, C.A.S., P.K.S., Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Pancha Karma (cleansing) Specialist, in a 2-week Ayurvedic Cleanse to assist our bodies in making
Event Details
Fall Community Cleanse at Santosha Wellness Center October 4-17.
Join Callie Stolz, C.A.S., P.K.S., Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Pancha Karma (cleansing) Specialist, in a 2-week Ayurvedic Cleanse to assist our bodies in making those changes and setting ourselves up for a healthy winter season.
Join us at Fire Pit Park Friday and Saturday for a community gear swap. Sell your own, trade with others, or shop for affordable gear as the winter approaches! We'll
Event Details
Join us at Fire Pit Park Friday and Saturday for a community gear swap. Sell your own, trade with others, or shop for affordable gear as the winter approaches! We’ll have a cozy fire, snacks and good company. Free and open to the public.