Stress & the Pandemic
While we’re talking about stress – one really stressful situation that we’ve all been dealing with lately is, of course, the COVID-19 Pandemic!
Now that we’ve learned all about stress, how it affects us, and what we can do about it generally, now let’s talk about the pandemic’s effect on our stress & wellbeing….. and what to do to manage that stress!
Remember when this all began?
As you might recall, in early 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic due to the spread of a virus called COVID-19.
Stopping the Spread
To help stop the spread, many countries started to encourage us to stay at home.
We all started this journey thinking (or maybe just hoping) that this would just be an extra long March break! No one could predict how long it would go for or how much it would change how we live, interact and care for ourselves (and others).
More Stress, Fewer Tools
For many of us, staying at home meant changing our lifestyles, making it harder to connect with others, manage school, work, access healthcare and other resources & services, and more.
All this also meant a lot more stress on many of us with fewer ways to cope with that stress.
More Stress, Fewer Tools
New technologies like ‘Zoom‘ allowed us to connect with friends, service providers, programs and healthcare professionals, but were not accessible to all.
Impacts on Mental Health
Because of all these challenges, 70.2% of youth in Canada reported worse mental health due to feelings of isolation, stress and anxiety, less access to help and more.
Fast-forward to Today
Now, as countries are in various stages of re-opening, many of us can feel stressed about what the world after the pandemic might look like – and about adjusting back.
In fact, with so much uncertainty, it’s hard to tell what next week, or tomorrow will look like!
Fast-forward to Today
While we might not know what the world will look like post-COVID, we can take steps to prepare and care for ourselves during this confusing time.
Specifically, in this time of ongoing change, it’s important to take time to reassess our routines, ways of coping, and support systems in order to manage the often unexpected kinds of stress that many of us are facing these days.
It’s only natural to feel anxiety, confusion, or even distress over the changing rules and world. Know that many of us feel the same way, and make sure to check-in with yourself and your feelings about the situation.
The world is constantly changing, and so are you and your comfort levels. Ease back into in-person stuff and don’t be afraid to say no when you’re uncomfortable or tired. Check-in with yourself often to re-assess your limits.
Even though some anxiety and confusion is normal, make sure you’re not reaching the danger zone! Know when to reach out for help (warning signs), and know who to call, or text, or talk to (your emergency plan) for those times.
You Made It! What Now?
You made it to the end of E-Module #2 – CONGRATS! We hope you feel a little less stressed about the concept of stress and how to deal with it!
Check out the options below for what to do next 🙂
1. Continue to next E-module
2. "Save" and Quit
Click the “Save and Quit” button in order to enter into a monthly prize draw for a $50 gift card for completing this e-module, receive an automatic reminder to keep going on the next one, and sign up to our Programs Waitlist. You will also then be invited to other join our Monthly Coping Challenge and other fun ways to participate and win!
3. Take a Break...
Take a Break Option #1:
Try THISISSAND! Time that you enjoy wasting isn’t wasted! Take a few moments to create some cool sand art or just enjoy a sense of relaxation as you watch the sand fall (also available as an app). Just hold down your mouse to let the sand fall:
Take a Break Option #2:
Try this quick mindfulness breathing activity. Just watch the shape and breathe in as it grows bigger, breathe out as it gets smaller. Do this for about 2 minutes.
