Pandemics Can be Stressful.
Enforced lockdowns, isolation from friends and family, social distancing, loss of job, income, economic stability.
Grief and loss on so many levels — from missing milestones such as birthdays and graduations to severe illness and death it’s safe to say that Covid 19 has taken a toll on many of us. Including myself. Everyone is going through something at this very moment as you’re reading this.
That is unfortunately the anxiety-ridden reality of living in the age of coronavirus for many people around the world. While some of us may be coping well right now, experts worry our emotional resilience will begin to fray as the threat of Covid-19 drags on.
So here are 6 signs that Covid-19 might or might not be having an impact on your mental health.
Poor Sleep
Poor sleep is very bad for someone’s health. Not only does poor sleep lead to anxiety, but lack of overall quality sleep can lead to increased levels of anxiety with the addition of depression.
You may be worried about your own or your loved ones’ health, stressed about money and the economy, or anxious about what the future holds. Whatever the cause, when your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol it can keep your body aroused, your mind turning, and lead to fragmented sleep and insomnia.
Sleep is required for the body to work efficiently. According to Matthew Walker’s best selling book “Why we sleep” :
The shorter you sleep, the shorter your life span. The old maxim “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” is therefore unfortunate. Adopt this mindset, and you will be dead sooner and the quality of that shorter life will be worse.
So lesson of the day:
Lack of sleep equals to many problems. Find a suitable sleeping regiment to maintain your healthiness because Covid-19 will not be going away for a while.
Social Withdrawal
Covid-19 lockdowns have restricted many social activities. Whether it's going outside to eat, hanging out with friends, going to parties you name it. After spending some time self-isolating you can lose connections.
Many connections in fact. Basically everyone that you knew before disaster struck.
But the benefit of being alive in the 21st century is the presence of social media. Social media allows us to connect with other people through a simple tap. It’s fascinating really. But only to a certain extent.
Spending more time texting, messaging, emailing and liking posts can turn from good to ugly real fast. It can become a habit. A bad habit. Like an addiction that is difficult to overcome.
This can cause social withdrawal. You can’t really blame yourself for being in this current situation. It happens. Stuff happens. The only thing you can do right now is to just stay safe and healthy. You can keep in touch with those around you whether its social media or face to face. But don’t overdo it with the online part. Keep a limit to it or else you’ll become dependent on it.
Fear Of Contracting Covid-19
It is very understandable that someone might be scared of contracting Covid-19 since there is no cure for this disease to this day. That has lead to many fearing for their lives and health and are even going to extreme lengths to avoid it.
That constant thought of catching the virus and not knowing what can happen to you is a scary feeling.
Covid-19 has been an emotional rollercoaster. Mainly downs instead of ups and its gonna be a long time before normality is brought back again.
So until that normality comes, educate yourself on how Covid-19 is transmitted and most importantly relax. Follow the WHO guidelines on how to prevent such a thing from happening and listen to the experts.
Financial Stress
If you are worried about money right now, you are not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a health crisis, it is a financial crisis too. Many health care workers have lost significant income, unexpectedly.
The link between mental and financial health can be a very destructive cycle. Financial stress can lead to deterioration of mental health which can make taking action to protect your financial health harder.
People may engage in unhealthy behaviours to try to cope with financial stress, from avoidance, to overeating and alcohol and drug misuse, which in turn can worsen mental health. Ongoing stress about money has been linked to physical ill health too, such as migraines, heart disease and sleep problems.
Although it may feel overwhelming right now, there are steps you can take to help manage your finances, which in turn will protect your mental health and allow you to feel more in control. Research enough and be smart about it.
Final Thoughts
Media coverage of the pandemic can influence the public’s mental health. The 24/7 coverage of COVID-19 on rolling news channels, sensationalist headlines in national newspapers, and misinformation on social media have stimulated fear among people. Media outlets are manipulative.
They provide information about ongoing situations worldwide, but they’re harmful for someone’s mental health.
But there’s nothing to be afraid of because at the end of the day everyone is going through something. Even though it might seem that everything is bad right now just know that you’re not alone on this one. We’re all the same bubble.
Stay safe and strong, you got this!
