Compassion
As most of us get back to the routines of work, school and the everyday things we used to do, it is normal to have anxiety as we also continue to grapple with trauma from the pandemic, war and other world events. To understand these layers of trauma, think of it as a shocking, frightening or dangerous event that is out of someone's control and overwhelms their ability to cope.
As we go through our daily lives, we continually fight internal battles, so use compassion in your everyday journey. But what is compassion? True compassion is the ability to be sympathetic, empathetic, as well as having the desire to alleviate another's pain and suffering.
Mental health reverberations are felt long after the trauma has diminished. Even before the pandemic depression, anxiety and attention-related disorders were already at high levels, not to mention chronic stress and burnout. The toll the pandemic has taken on our mental health is likely to carry forward, long after we are physically safe.
In the months and perhaps even years to come, you will undoubtedly interact with others who have a different comfort level than you do. Some may feel more cautious about jumping back into normal life, while others seem to zoom ahead. This transition for you, whatever it might look like, will require a great deal of patience, sensitivity, understanding and compassion.
While everyone moves at their own pace, the best approach to an anxiety-creating situation is to take it slow. It will be very important to know our limits and boundaries even though some degree of discomfort is healthy and normal. The key will be to trust ourselves and know when to push forward and when to back off.
Trauma can cause people to be in a heightened state of arousal (sleep disturbance, irritability, concentration problems, getting startled easily, hypervigilance). It is important to learn and practice skills to soothe the body and mind. Mindfulness practices can be quite beneficial and include breathing exercises, meditation and staying focused on the present.
Working to increase compassion can be beneficial. It can be so easy to be empathetic with others, but more challenging to turn that empathy inward. While it may not come easily, people can be encouraged to be as kind to themselves as they are to others. It is important to recognize that struggle with the aftermath of a trauma has nothing to do with being weak.
Acknowledging that what was experienced was actually traumatic can help to put things in perspective. Compassion can be enhanced by connecting with people and activities that foster a sense of validation and security. Practicing compassion promotes meaningful connections, facilitates problem-solving, and improves health and wellbeing. In total, compassion makes the world a better place to live in.
“How to Practice Self-Compassion During the Pandemic,” Jonathan Black, Working@Duke, Campus, August 11, 2020,
“Compassion in a time of COVID-19,” Sandro Galea, May 22, 2020, Lancet. 2020 20-26 June; 395(10241): 1897–1898.
“Mindset and Compassion,” Jennifer Anderson, Nov 22, 2021,
