Hypnotherapy
Are we
nearly there yet? Hypnotherapist Karen Martin examines the issue of how we can ensure we’re steering ourselves on to the right roadmap for a better future as we come out of lockdown
F
direction their life was taking. Not or some people, the everyone has the life skills or hardest thing about the confidence to kickstart an interrupted pandemic will be the education or career path. prospect of returning to normal, albeit a new one. Three lockdowns in the past twelve ON THE MOVE AGAIN months have required many to put When the traffic lights go green and all their lives on pause, then reset, then roads to a new normal open up, anyone pause again. And . . . again. unsure of where they’re going next risks It’s as if we’ve all been waiting at a stalling, freezing like a rabbit in the traffic light on the roadmap to headlights or, worse still, crashing and recovery hailed by Boris as being burning in a mental health crisis of the way forward. But there’s depression or anxiety. no ‘Lifeway’ code to help There’s been a lot of us navigate the jam this awareness of the “To fulfil their has created. reported surge in potential, the young Pre Covid, there anxiety during wasn’t enough time to lockdowns. I predict in particular have to take the foot off the there will be many get behind the wheel accelerator and brake more sufferers post and steer their life or cruise for a while. the lifting of restrictions as we all towards success” have to readjust to the PAUSE AND pressures and REFLECT responsibilities of normal life Being stuck at a red light is an and adapt to uncertainties ahead. opportunity to reflect on what direction to take. When life is moving along at a steady pace, it’s easy to ACCELERATING follow the main drag and forget about CHANGE exploring other avenues. Being a Any crisis accelerates change. passenger. Not thinking about the Economically, socially and next turn. That relatively stress free technologically, there will be global but often unsatisfying option is no developments in infrastructure. This longer available to many. will potentially lead to better ways to To fulfil their potential, the young work, live and benefit from scientific in particular have to get behind the progress post pandemic. wheel and steer their life towards On an individual level, we all have success. This is a tough challenge for the opportunity to seize the day and anyone who thought they knew which it remains to be seen how many of us 42 | May 2021 | SO Magazine
are doing just that. Property sales in bucolic rural areas are on the up as city workers rush to the countryside for a happier, less hectic life. Employers recognising massive savings on expensive commercial space are embracing flexi working, changing the life of many commuters. Out of the surge in unemployment will come a rise in innovation as the newly jobless find creative new ways to make a living.
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Politicians will be called upon to put measures in place to provide more support to those who, for example, remain jobless or are mentally unwell because of the pandemic. Those who cannot just hop on the bus to a better future will get some help but it may not be enough or fast enough to help them back on their feet without
consequences. Along with the casualties of Covid, these are also its victims. I was saddened to read that many of the homeless given accommodation during lockdown are back on the streets. Temporary fixes during lockdown will hopefully lead to permanent changes in the areas where they are needed the most. The Government has pledged £500 million to improve mental health services which have been desperately underfunded for decades. Many of those visiting my practice have given up waiting for a referral to an NHS therapist or there simply aren’t services available to help with their particular problem. Better access to mental health services and more choice of treatments available will help individuals get back in the driving seat and follow a new roadmap to a brighter future.
Karen Martin Hypnotherapist
