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Coping with stress during Covid-19 pandemic

Staff Correspondent
04 Jun 2021 15:49:24 | Update: 04 Jun 2021 15:49:24
Coping with stress during Covid-19 pandemic
Reuters Photo, representational

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions. Social distancing is necessary to reduce the spread of Covid-19, but it can make us feel isolated and lonely.

Stress can cause the following:

  • Feelings of fear, anger, dejection, worry, emotionlessness, or frustration
  • Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
  • Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
  • Worsening of chronic health problems
  • Worsening of mental health conditions
  • Increased use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances

Healthy ways to cope with stress:

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. It’s good to be informed, but hearing about the pandemic constantly can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a couple times a day and disconnecting from phone, tv, and computer screens for a while.
  • Take care of your body.
  • Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate external icon.
  • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
  • Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.
  • Get vaccinated with a Covid-19 vaccine when available.
  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
  • Connect with others: Talk with people external icon you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Connect with your community or faith-based organisations while social distancing measures are in place, try connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.

 

Source: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

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