The COVID-19 pandemic – as well as the consequent economic recession – have affected many people’s mental health negatively and established new barriers for individuals already suffering from mental illness as well as substance use disorders.
During the pandemic, nearly 4 in 10 adults in the US have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, a share which has been chiefly consistent, up from one in ten adults who reported these indications from January to June 2019.
In addition, a KFF Health Tracking Poll from July 2020 made the finding that many adults are reporting detailed negative impacts on their mental health as well as well-being, such as:
- Difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%),
- Upsurges in alcohol consumption or substance use (12%), in addition to
- Worsening chronic conditions (12%).
This is owing to worry as well as stress over the coronavirus.
As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, ongoing and necessary public health measures expose many individuals to experiencing situations linked to poor mental health outcomes, such as isolation as well as job loss.
An Emotional Tsunami
The pandemic has caused an emotional tsunami. People’s feelings are worsened to the extremes at the moment, especially owing to the uncertainty of what’s going to happen.
We don’t want to pathologize people’s feelings as [they] are normal as well as acceptable, however it takes a hefty toll on mental health even if it doesn’t lead to severe mental illness. It definitely leaves people in a constant state of stress.
The lockdown came with a number of positive mental health benefits, for example added time at home with family. On the one hand there are possible benefits to mental health, however on the other hand, and this is more so, there are negative repercussions. Only the future will have the ability to tell us if these weeks in lockdown have generated a rise in mental illness or not.
How To Cope In Lockdown
Take Short Active Breaks During The Day
Short sessions of physical activity will add up to the weekly recommendations.
Follow An Online Exercise Class
Make sure that you take advantage of the wealth of online exercise classes. Many of these are free to watch and you can find these on YouTube. If you have no experience in doing these exercises, be cautious as well as aware of your own limitations.
Walk
Even in small and confined spaces, walking around or walking on the spot, can assist you to remain active. If you have to take a call, stand or walk around your home while you’re speaking, as opposed to sitting down. If you make the decision to go outside to walk or exercise, make sure that you maintain at least a 1 m distance from other people.
Stand up
Reduce your sedentary time through standing up whenever possible. Preferably, aim to interrupt sitting and reclining time every half an hour, even if you stand up while you play online slots in Canada.
Consider setting up a standing desk by utilising a high table or stacking a pile of books or other materials in order to continue working while standing. During sedentary leisure time prioritise cognitively stimulating activities, such as reading, board games, as well as puzzles.