By: Julie Trone, chair - Larimer wellness committee
As we have heard over and over these are unprecedented times. Our bodies, academic career, and livelihoods have all been altered. Protocol for safety has become pronounced, necessary to protect human life, and for many difficult to accept and adapt.
How are you adapting to this difficult time? Able to comply with health recommendations? Consider the word discipline. Does it make you catch your breath? Remind you of being disciplined? Cause discomfort? rebelliousness? Let us explore how discipline creates adaptive behavior and how it helps us stay healthy during a pandemic.
Everyone is disciplined in a manner that serves their needs. Everyday disciplined tasks are attending class, completing homework, and going to work on time. This form of discipline allows you to reach a goal and make ends meet. For health and well-being, we discipline ourselves in many ways such as brushing our teeth, correctly taking prescribed medication, and exercising.
Our new normal, living with COVID19, includes disciplining ourselves by social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing our hands with soap for twenty seconds. During spring, when the virus took hold of our country, we heard mixed messages. Our knowledge grew and we learned how to prevent infection. Now that we have practiced these disciplines the act of doing becomes easier.
Still, some of us struggle to adapt for various reasons. Sensitive to those who feel their freedom is impacted take a moment to read the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution here.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Notice the language of the first amendment lacks any suggestion allowing the freedom to perpetuate a public health crisis or negatively affect the health of others. Our founding fathers’ vision clearly lacked the application of health science in this amendment because it was not relevant during their time.
You may feel unhappy about compliance, are motivated to comply or somewhere in-between but it does not change the facts that discipline during our new normal is necessary for the health and safety of all. Once we comply our influence becomes benevolence and contributes to a healthier future.
Remember to protect your mental health during COVID19.
Larimer Campus Mental Health Counseling Office:
Our hours are M-F, 8-5 by appointment only with evening hours available as needed. Sessions are offered virtually via WebEx. Drop in hours are not available at this time. Students can access technology and private room on campus for virtual sessions if needed. Appointments are made by calling 970.204.8210 or by emailing Kathleen.strong@frontrange.edu. (Reminder: Do not put confidential information in email.)