Pangry is a term used to suggest pandemic anger. As Covid-19 becomes part of our everyday lives, it is something that we still naturally try to guard against. We are looking to find ways to stop this respiratory infection in its tracks, in any way we know how. We have all suffered and we are aiming to find the right way forward in which to reduce its harm, whilst dealing with the difficulties it has provided each and every one of us.
I quite often ask myself will I ever find out all the answers to the questions I have about the pandemic? I can honestly say I am not the only one. It is still a topic that is discussed or mentioned regularly. It is understandable to suggest that many people may have suffered anxiety, depression, mental fatigue and/or consistent anger (Panger) as a consequence of the hard times we have faced.
Although things have moved on, it can at times still cause a ripple of concern when we hear of new cases in the area. This may bring back some of the emotions we felt at the time when it was at its peak. All feelings are perfectly normal, and it is okay to feel off at times. Some people are still hand gelling, mask wearing and keeping their distance in certain circumstances. This is of course more than acceptable and often our own individual way of coping. It can also be determined by our physical and/or mental welfare. Afterall, we do what feels right in order to protect our family, friends, and ourselves. It is who we are.
Recent research indicates an increase in frustration, agitation, and anger. Being Pangry is now classed as a real health condition for many, and as mentioned beforehand a coping method to what we have all been part of over the last few years. Positive and negative feelings are felt by everyone at some point in our lives. Here are some tips that may help you to deal with any personal worries or having thoughts about opting out for a while (mental shutdown) and/or being faced with people who are angry. It is suggested if we role-model healthier options in which to cope with our frustrations we can encourage others to do the same.
Tip 1) Take a step back and observe – if your chest is feeling tight, or you are feeling hot and sweaty, and your jaw is clenched (amongst other physical sensations), give yourself a moment to consider your next move.
Tip 2) If I act this way at this point, will I feel disappointed or upset about my behaviour’s later? – sometimes if you are unsure of how to react, don’t, consider your options. For example, falling out with a friend can bring forward some feelings of guilt and/or shame.
Tip 3) Developing personal self-awareness – by allowing ourselves to accept our emotions in the here and now, whilst taking a moment to understand our present thought processes in times of difficulty. We can help to change our own reactions with a sprinkle of positivity.
To sum things up, we cannot control other people’s behaviours, but we can improve our own reactions. There will always be people who get upset when being faced with tricky situations, and quite rightly so in some scenarios. By becoming more thoughtful we can learn to deal with concerns in a healthier way, alongside reducing our risk to stress. In some cases, a little humour can provide an effective coping solution to the moments that are often unavoidable.
As my Auntie used to say ‘ It is not the problem that is the problem, it is how we deal with the problem that may be the problem ‘ That phrase does take a while to work out 😊