Post-Pandemic Loneliness

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and a few days ago the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, released a new advisory which called attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in this country.

The pandemic has changed our lives in ways we couldn't have anticipated. Safety measures have left many feeling isolated and disconnected. We miss the warmth of human connection, the joy of shared experiences, and the comfort of familiar routines. As we try now to move beyond the most challenging time, it's essential to acknowledge and address the impact of loneliness on our mental and emotional well-being.

Loneliness is not just about physical isolation. It's a feeling of disconnection, a sense of being misunderstood, or a lack of purpose and meaning. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status. The pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, as we were forced to stay apart from our loved ones and adjust to a new reality which was often uncertain and unpredictable.

Some found ways to stay connected, even when physical proximity wasn't possible. We used technology to our advantage, connected with loved ones through video calls, social media, or online events. We took up new hobbies or interests, explored our creativity and learned new skills that can bring us joy and fulfillment. However, many are still feeling loneliness and social anxiety, and here's where EFT can help.

How EFT can help with feeling lonely

• Acknowledge what you are feeling and state it clearly in your setup statements
• Notice what keeps you from reaching out to friends and family, and tap on specific fears. For example, what are you afraid will/won't happen if you reach out?
• Find times in your past when you felt excluded and alone. The teenage years come to mind as a time period ripe with tapping material about this!
• Tap on the addiction to news and social media
• Tap on your resistance to asking for help either with an EFT practitioner or an EFT-trained therapist.

The pandemic has taught us that we're all interconnected, that our actions affect each other, and that we need to care for each other to overcome this crisis. We need to extend this compassion and care to ourselves as well. We need to be gentle, patient, and loving with ourselves as we navigate the challenges of loneliness and isolation. Through EFT we can cultivate a sense of calm and inner peace that can help us navigate these uncertain times with more resilience and compassion for ourselves and others.

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Alina Frank is an EFT Master Trainer of Trainers, training and mentoring practitioners since 2006. Contributing author of 8 EFT books. Author of How to Want Sex: Using EFT to Rekindle Your Passion. Co-director of EFT MBA: Marketing and Business Academy for EFT Coaches www.eftmba.com Organizer of annual NW Tappers Gathering, raising over thousands of dollar for continuing EFT research. Matrix Reimprinting trainer since 2011. Producer of the Science of Tapping documentary. Director of EFT Relationship Coach Certification www.eftrelationshipcoach.com EFT and Matrix Training website www.efttappingtraining.com

Photo by James Kovin on Unsplash