Dealing With Stress And Anxiety During The Pandemic
As we know, we are currently in a time of great transition in both America and the world. The way of life we have known is changing, putting a standstill on us. While most of us are out and about now, some are still isolating in their homes due to being immune-compromised, or of an age where their life is threatened by the possibility of sickness. At one point, we were all stuck at home with nothing to do and no real idea of when our sense of normal would return.
We may have been cut off from friends and family, and that made an impact on our social and emotional well-being. A new focus has become the recovery from these stressful times and coping with our new normal. Many researchers are now putting the study into the rising stress and anxiety levels due to the Covid- 19 Pandemic and lockdown.
So here is what we can do to help others and ourselves cope with the everyday stress and anxiety of the pandemic:
1. Be Kind to Yourself
We need to understand that we are not alone during this crazy transition, everyone is experiencing the same thing and no one is sure of when it will end. It is vastly important to be kind to yourself. Maybe your eating habits and exercise routine changed, and you gained weight or lost muscle mass. Remind yourself that this is ok.
Not everyone could return to the gym or afford healthy food because of losing their job. Embrace a silver lining in each day, and forgive yourself if you cannot stay consistent with your diet or your routine. Take time for self-care and give your mind time to reflect on how you are feeling.
2. Stay in Touch with Family and Friends
Staying in contact with those you care about can also help you to cope with stress and anxiety. A difficulty experienced by people isolating is the loneliness when we cannot be with those we love. Relationships are pivotal to our well- being both mentally and physically. The fear of getting those we care about sick can create even more stress for us. Staying in regular communication with them can help alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Understanding and empathy are what connect us, and we are all dealing with the same thoughts and worries. Sharing and discussing our feelings and emotions with others gives us a chance to release our pent up frustrations. Human touch itself is therapeutic and can help relieve both stress and anxiety. So share with those around you and create a support system for yourself during these times.
3. Seek Help if Needed
If those support systems still aren't giving you what you need, reach out. It is important to admit when you need help, and those we love cannot always offer us everything. Even though we are dealing with social distancing affecting help centers, we can still participate in online group settings. Many businesses are offering online aid such as one-on-one counseling, support groups, and other resources. Though we cannot meet face-to-face right now, we are learning to navigate our crazy new world. What you need will always be available, and you simply have to reach out for it. There is no need to be embarrassed about admitting you need help. Even those who offer therapy to others have their own therapists. We all need advice sometimes. If you want self-help, you could journal or keep a diary of your day-to-day mindset and routine. This also gives you the opportunity to look back and see how things have changed for you as time goes on.
4. Explore New Passions and Creativity
When you have so much time on your hands, you may begin to think of ways to fill it. If you are a creative person, you might take the time to work on art, poetry, crafts, etc. Maybe you got behind on something you use to enjoy doing before work got so crazy and your schedule was too packed. Take time to think about what makes you happy, even if it is just a hobby.
Getting back in touch with what makes you passionate can expand your well- being and creative mind. This can alleviate stress, anxiety and give your brain a boost. Brainstorm some ideas for ways you can heighten your creativity, and get back in touch with what brings you joy. By doing so, you balance your mental and emotional health.
5. Seize the Day
With all this in mind, let us remember that we are not powerless. We have the ability to help ourselves in a variety of ways and take care of ourselves. It is ok to be selfish right now. Be kind and loving to yourself and patient with what is happening. Use each day to gain a better understanding of yourself and your needs. Do not isolate yourself from others because of fear and anxiety. What you are feeling is perfectly normal and acceptable.
Be comfortable admitting that you need help, and be ok with admitting that you do not know what will happen. Forgive yourself if you do not meet your own expectations or fall out of your routine. Take care of your mind and body, stay hydrated and stay safe. Above all, remember how powerful you are and that each new day is filled with opportunity.
Opinions and Perspectives
It's comforting to know others struggled with the same issues I did.
The suggestion about journaling really works. I can see how far I've come by reading old entries.
I've become more intentional about maintaining relationships after experiencing the isolation.
Interesting how the pandemic forced us to slow down and reflect on what truly matters.
I'm grateful for technology keeping us connected when we couldn't be together physically.
I appreciate how the article acknowledges that everyone's experience was different.
I developed closer relationships with my neighbors during this time. We really came together as a community.
Being kind to ourselves is harder than it sounds. I'm still learning how to do this effectively.
I never thought I'd say this but I actually miss some aspects of lockdown life.
The pandemic taught me the importance of having multiple coping mechanisms.
My relationship with food completely changed during lockdown. Still working on developing healthier habits.
I'm still working on finding that balance between staying safe and living life.
I think the pandemic forced me to face mental health issues I'd been ignoring for years.
Online support groups were surprisingly effective. It helped knowing others were going through similar struggles.
Finding new passions definitely helped. I learned to play guitar and it's become my stress relief.
The isolation affected my elderly parents much more severely than me. It was hard watching them struggle.
I actually lost weight during lockdown because I started cooking all my meals at home.
The article makes a good point about support systems. Mine definitely helped me stay grounded.
I struggled with the lack of routine at first but eventually created a new one that works better for me.
Self-care became my priority during lockdown. I finally learned it's not selfish to put myself first sometimes.
The pandemic made me realize who my true friends are. Some relationships grew stronger, others faded away.
I've become much more aware of my mental health needs through this experience.
Working from home helped me realize how much daily workplace stress I was dealing with before.
The silver lining approach worked wonders for me. Each day I tried to find something positive, no matter how small.
Does anyone else still feel anxious about going back to normal social situations?
The advice about staying hydrated seems so basic but it's something I constantly forget when stressed.
I started painting during lockdown and discovered I actually have a talent for it. Never would have known otherwise.
The new normal is still something I'm adjusting to. Some days are better than others.
True about admitting when you need help. I learned that lesson the hard way by trying to handle everything alone.
I found maintaining relationships actually got easier in some ways. Everyone was suddenly available for video calls!
Virtual counseling was a game-changer for me. I probably wouldn't have tried therapy if it hadn't been for the pandemic.
I think the article understates how difficult it was for people who lost their jobs. Being kind to yourself is harder when you're struggling financially.
My creativity actually flourished during isolation. I finally had time to work on all those projects I'd been putting off.
Losing my gym routine was tough, but I discovered home workouts and actually prefer them now.
The stress of potentially getting loved ones sick was overwhelming. I still struggle with that fear.
I actually found the pandemic helped me slow down and appreciate the small things in life more.
I found journaling to be incredibly helpful. It gave me a way to process all the crazy thoughts in my head.
The part about human touch being therapeutic is so true. I never realized how much I needed hugs until I couldn't have them.
My anxiety went through the roof during the pandemic. Talking to a therapist online really helped me cope.
I disagree that everyone experienced the same thing. Some people had it much worse than others, especially essential workers.
The point about being kind to yourself resonates with me. I was so hard on myself for not being productive enough during lockdown.
Anyone else find themselves picking up random hobbies just to stay sane? I started baking bread and now I can't stop!
This article really hits home. The isolation during lockdown was harder than I expected.
I completely relate to the weight gain part. I've struggled to maintain my fitness routine since everything changed.