When you find yourself so isolated that you are talking to your colander, well, it’s really OK; everyone reacts to stress differently. But as we go through this elongated period of life during a pandemic, many people are dealing with fear, anxiety, sleeplessness, and they are getting sick of their own thoughts.

Local therapists Brenda Hammond, Brom Glidden, and Jill Kahn have agreed to weigh in with advice for mental health well-being.

Brenda Hammond, who holds a master’s degree in social work from Eastern Washington University, tells her clients, through phone or video at this time: “We have a choice about how to look at everything that happens — that’s the only way we can be in control. Every challenge can either make us greater — if we use the strong qualities we have — or it can bring us down if we allow ourselves to stay in our ‘survival brain’ — thinking that the only solutions are ‘fight, flight or freeze.’”

Hammond says she talks with clients about ways to rise up and out of this mode. “Different things work for different people, but learning to use our breath as a tool is a great way.

“No one needs to know we’re using that tool, but if we can calm ourselves, and learn to exhale fully, which we don’t do when we are stressed, in five minutes we can signal our ‘survival brain’ to stand down. It can stop sending out stress hormones and we can access our ‘thinking brain’ which puts things into perspective — and remembers all the things for which we can be grateful,” she said.

All three therapists encourage people to get outdoors — away from people.

Getting outdoors is essential, according to Jill Kahn, because nature is healing, and our bodies need movement.

Brom Glidden, responded in a humorous manner. “If you’re human, fresh air and sunshine will do wonders for anyone’s mental health; if you’re a zombie, vampire, or one of those aliens from ‘War of the Worlds,’ you should probably stay home.”

Hammond said clients doing the best are the ones who manage to get outside often. “The trails are great and people smile and step aside for each other to observe social distancing, she said.

“I went and parked by the water near my home yesterday to make a couple of my ‘counseling calls.’ I was amazed at what I saw! The world was carrying on just as if there was no such thing as a coronavirus. It was the first day I saw that the osprey had returned and a pair was busy repairing the nest they’d left last year when they flew south.

“A great blue heron was wading near the shore when another swooped in to join it — disturbing several pair of Canada geese that were checking out the tall grasses near the bank. A pair of mallard ducks were there also — and an eagle flew low over the osprey nest and was chased away by the male. There was so much going on — and it was just what I needed!

“What we all are seeking at this time is some assurance that the world we’ve come to count on will go on — with joy!” Hammond said.

Many individuals moved to this area for social distancing and isolation, so for those who live in the woods or work from home anyway, they may not be as impacted by the implemented social restrictions in place.

“For those who are less extroverted, this slower time can be soothing, a time for more connection,” Kahn said. “My extroverted son is antsy and frustrated, despite his infinite learning and projects! My introverted daughter says this is a piece of cake because she’s been in training for this her whole life! My youngest son laments that he gets no hugs,” said Kahn, who has worked as a therapist for 39 years; she holds a master’s degree in psychology and specializes in marriage counseling.

Glidden, who has been in practice for 10 years and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology, describes himself as an extrovert. He admits this social distancing is driving him nuts. He is being mindful of how fortunate he is because he is not sick and he has not lost any loved ones.

“I’m a hugger so I’m missing hugging all of my family and friends so that’s super challenging to not hug wonderful people like my momma,” he said.

Kahn says she is most concerned about people who live alone, especially without a pet. For some, therapy sessions are a major source of contact. That degree of isolation is problematic. My other concern is the potential increase in domestic violence,” she said.

Hammond agrees that single people especially need someone else to talk to — to help them think about the kinds of things that make them feel better and deal better with stress.

“There are so many simple things such as exercise, being outdoors, cooking, listening to music, connecting with friends, learning something new, being creative, painting (your bathroom, or a painting), spending time with pets, taking care of yourself, and, especially, doing something for someone else. What matters is that we make a plan and be intentional about it,” she said.

Glidden said that if he could give people a single message, it would be: “It’s totally OK not to be OK. Don’t let this stop you from doing good self-care, though. This may be cleaning your house, or it may be totally ignoring it. Self-care is something you get to define,” he said.

All three therapists are doing tele-therapy.

“Doing five hours straight of tele mental health (counseling) is exhausting!” said Kahn, adding, “It is fascinating that some of my couples are growing closer with the proximity, while others are screaming divorce.”

Hammond said the challenge of tele communicating with her clients is making the sessions productive. “I know I will be glad to see everyone in person again — but it will be more special because it’s something we have missed.”

Kahn and Glidden caution watching too much news.

“Access to news needs to be limited,” Kahn said, “and people need to be compassionate with themselves about how much they accomplish. Simultaneously, reasonable productivity is good for our self-esteem,” she said.

Glidden commented honestly about his proclivity to yell at the television. “Take it from me. It is easy to be an armchair activist, but I have found it does nothing for me. I just sit at home yelling at the TV. Now who is the crazy one? I have to fight against my nature and turn the news off. Turns out there are lots of other things to worry about even when the news is off. For example, I started watching that show people won’t shut up about. The one with the large cats, or whatever. I don’t like it … can we talk about these cats? It was so depressing seeing the conditions that many of these cats were living in. Many animals will lose hair during times of stress and some of the cats had so many patches of skin they looked more like humans. Hell, one kind of looked just like Judy Dench. Also, there was WAY too much singing from these Cats,” he said.

Hammond said there are so many ways for people to communicate now, that were not available even 10 years ago. “We can still check in regularly with friends and family through email, text, phone, and various kinds of video links. But we can be intentional about this as well and not be consumed by it. I see many families doing more things together than ever. Dads who are temporarily out of work outside with their kids; whole families biking and walking together — and having fun!” she said.

Susan Drinkard writes features for the Daily Bee. She can be reached at susanadiana@icloud.com.