It’s a Heart Problem
By: Lucas Olan, IMH
One of the most interesting phenomena of the human experience is the inquisitive desire to get to the heart of the matter. The “heart of the matter” is an expression that leads us to inquire about results and meaning. Simply put, “We always want to know WHY?”
“Why is this happening?”
“Why am I feeling this way?”
“Why did I not see this coming?”
All of these very real questions bring us to a place of anxiety. This preoccupation with a future, whether known or unknown, encases us into a mental and emotional struggle. We yearn for a locus of control which we find in our present days is fluid at best. The combination of futuristic worry and the intertwined fear subsequently results in a mass of probable outcomes which now puts a strain on our hearts figuratively and biologically.
In the days trailing the precedent of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more inhabitants have walked into professional mental health consult concerned with irregularities in their cardiac (heart) functionality. In a study published in the American College of Cardiology, experts state that cardiovascular issues rose in areas of the country where higher numbers the pandemic were recorded The fear and uncertainty led Medical experts at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston to encourage patients to not delay medical treatment due to concerns over safety protocols in hospital and healthcare environments (Everydayhealth,Welch 2021). As it is ethical for mental health professionals to refer to medical professionals such as primary care physicians and other medical group resources, it is also a focus of treatment to explore what is at the heart of the matter to these symptoms of racing heart rate, sweating, racing thoughts, intense fear, and paralyzing anxiety.
Panic attacks are real and the overwhelming emotional dysregulation that has flooded the planet Earth in the face of a worldwide pandemic has put the common heart to fear like never before. This unprecedented lifestyle has brought individuals to live on edge and become unsaddled off of routine leaving our hearts full of emotions beyond our usual threshold. To say this is in no way to self diagnose oneself with a cardiac condition but rather to bring consciousness that as humans living in a turbulent time we have somatically been triggered as our mental health has been challenged. For that the heart of the matter now turns to, “Okay, what do I do about that?”.
Clinically speaking, there are several soothing techniques that one may also be implement during the time of a panic attack or severe anxiety overload. Initially, the act of grounding is of the utmost importance. To ground yourself, is to provide a foundation and straining channel for the powerful emotions to travel.
This channel can be created by locating a solid object such as a chair, tree or desk and then planting your feet flat while aligning your posture vertically. Whether you are sitting in the chair or using it as a tangible support; it is vital to have in mind that the purpose is to stabilize the uncontrollable tremor sensation that passes through an individual in the moment of a panic attack. The stabilization of the body via grounding now gives way for an opening into the calming and soothing techniques. Profound and rhythmic breaths allow for oxygen to enter into the body and rejuvenate the blood vessels that have become constricted during the fight, flight & freeze alert. As the body begins to return to equilibrium, it is beneficial to accompany positive and tranquil cognitive images or scenes to facilitate the natural “restart mode” that one may experience when in the closure of anxiety overload. Peaceful scenes may look like a calm beach with gentle crashing waves grazing the shoreline or a light rainstorm in the eve of night. The important factor in creating soothing images is to make it relatable to your own sensory experience. The smells, sounds and sights that are visualized in the soothing imagery is created with the purpose of casting aside maladaptive thoughts and infusing tranquil ones during high stress moments.
For our spiritual care and weary hearts; divine wisdom recommended rest. Self-care is the essential worker that has been called to become a front-line hero in the COVID days we live. It is necessary now more than ever to establish meaningful relationships. Meaningful relationships are connections we make as mutual investments. During these connections we are vulnerable with ourselves and others while facilitating reciprocal care. In creating these relationships during a time where isolation has become the norm, we are strengthening our physical wellness and the being cared for in community. The holistic worth of self-care is valuable in its regulation and evaluation of our ever evolving wellness needs. Ultimately, self-care is an investment in yourself as a person introspects into the heart of emotional matters asking the big questions when it comes to mental health. These necessary confrontations are found in the form of the following question, “Am I loving and caring for myself the way I need to be in this very moment?”. If at the moment it has not been apparent it could be a “heart problem” and the remedy for such anxiety is mindful reflection. As we analyze our interior we also give space to recognize that our heart is beating reminding us that there is still hope. For that reason we can be encouraged that today a new goal is available for us as we give ourselves a good word to make our hearts glad.
As today wanes on there is one interactive activity that will carry you to a moment of reflection; Try it! Be kind to yourself and place your hand on your heart.
What do you feel? Most people would say a heartbeat; I would instead perceive that pulse as a sign that you are full of purpose, value and a future.
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