Social and emotional numbing is the mental and emotional process of shutting out feelings and may be experienced as deficits of emotional responses or reactivity. This deficit can have broad reaching negative impact on the quality of life for a person and can be experienced and produced different ways depending on the individual.

While emotional numbing blocks or shuts down negative feelings and experiences, it can also shut down our own ability to positively experience pleasure, participation in social activities, share intimacy in close relationships, lack of interest in our hobbies, and can disrupt rational problem-solving abilities.

There are a number of ways to prevent social and emotional numbness. Learning new ways to cope with overwhelming stress, anxiety, and sorting through traumatic events such as our current state of affairs battling the outbreak of Covid-19 is possible.

Keeping an active mind, blogging, channeling negative energy into other positive creative outlets and maintaining a self-care routine are the ways I have learned work best for me to keep my light shining.

I have included an example of the artwork in which I have channeled some of the negative emotions into something I enjoy. I hope you enjoy this as well.

What are some of your favorite coping strategies during difficult times? Feel free to express and share in the comments.

Everyone be safe! 🐼✌️