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Two Simple Actions Lift Your Mood?

Karen Chambre LCSW, PSY.D ca
2 min readApr 30, 2023

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Some struggled through Covid used to hope and control to feel better.

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It is interesting how those two words helped many people during the pandemic. In the beginning and on, every client discussed their fear, anxiety, and depression. People were afraid they would get sick or a loved one would die. Every single hour people were filled with discomfort.

At some point, I remembered I had learned a little bit of hope and a little bit of control would lift people's moods. Clients would say I have no hope and no power. We spoke of the feelings of hopelessness and having very little control. These feelings devasted people.

Finding Hope and Control

Often we looked at control; Many Clients decided to stay home and wear gloves and masks when they went out. They had not realized they were taking care of themselves. They were choosing healthy options and being in as much of their health as possible.

Hope was more difficult; we would go through any activities people looked forward to. Many have events like weddings, parties, and wine tasting over Zoom. We also discussed hobbies people had or wanted to try. Many found some passions which gave that life could be more than sitting around. It was great to see people's moods improve.

Lessons

Most difficult times do teach us lessons. I have found when people have mild to moderate depression and anxiety, helping them find a little hope and control can give them a lift until they have a chance to go and work through the root of the stress and depression.

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Karen Chambre LCSW, PSY.D ca
Karen Chambre LCSW, PSY.D ca

Written by Karen Chambre LCSW, PSY.D ca

As a psychotherapist, it has been a pleasure to help clients overcome their internal and external challenges over the last 40 years.

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