MISSOULA — The stress of 2020 continues for many people -- the COVID-19 pandemic, then the election and now the suspicion that there is no end in sight to those pressure points.
But there are things we can do to ease the tension, to breathe easier.
“One of the basic things we teach is of course basic breath awareness,” explained Laying Groundwork owner Kathy Mangan.
“So, just really learning to stay in the present, in the moment, to stay connected to that. As opposed to worrying about something that concerned or burdened by something from the past.”
Mangan says she has been very busy during the pandemic, working with businesses, groups, and individuals to try and get them through this.
That includes members of the Missoula City-County Health Department, which has had a tremendous burden non-stop since March.
As the coping facilitator, Mangan led a four-week course, which reminded the health care workers why they do what they do.
"What attracted you to the helping profession to begin with, what is it you're trying to do, are you still doing that? Are you still connected to this bigger purpose you had in your life?” Mangan asked.
Mangan’s final bit of advice -- when we are criticized by others, remember they are likely under stress too.