The current financial crisis due to COVID-19 has left many people unemployed, feeling frustrated and helpless in a time of extreme vulnerability. And 23ABC is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses to "rebound."
23ABC sat down with a local marriage and family therapist for some insight on how you can break out of your isolation with a little creativity. Shannon Ashburn is a marriage and family therapist who has seen an uptick in people seeking advice. For many people, the end of the isolated school year didn't mark an end to the chaos.
"Most people don't do well with change, especially a sudden change," explained Ashburn. "A lot of times our kids don't have the same developmental capacity and maturity to articulate their feelings and emotions the same way that adults do so you can start to see a lot of different things happening with our kiddos."
Ashburn says don't wait for life to return to normal: make adjustments. For example, If your family looks forward to a summer excursion, like a camping trip, bring that to your home!
"Setting up tents in your backyard, making smores around your fire pit, or even creating a campsite environment, doing some of the games and things that you would normally do."
And if you are 'zooming' with family, don't make it just a conversation.
"You can play games of Bingo, all kinds of other things to kind of get everyone doing something other than just having a little chit chat over video."
And if you were looking forward to that big family trip, bring that home as well.
"Just going on the internet. Maybe some of the destinations or places that you and your family like to go or maybe have wanted to go, there's a lot of stuff out there that offers virtual field trips and virtual tours."
And. couples should not forgo date night.
"Maybe have a wine-tasting, or a beer tasting, or have your favorite meal ordered in. And then just create a date-like atmosphere."
Ashburn says it's all about working through the challenges together.
