Recognizing Stress
The COVID-19 Pandemic has drastically changed our day-to-day lives. For many of us, these changes have included a host of new stressors. Under normal circumstances we might have the tools necessary to manage our stress, but in a pandemic it can feel harder to cope. If the below symptoms describe you or someone you care about, you (or they) might be experiencing elevated stress due to the pandemic.
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
- Fear and worry about your health or the health of loved ones.
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
- Feelings of sadness or grief.
- Excessively irritability or impatience.
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other substances.
- Difficulty setting priorities or making decisions.
- Worsening of mental health conditions.
It’s important to remember such reactions are normal. In a time of isolation, uncertainty, and the ongoing threat of illness, it is reasonable to feel overwhelmed, exhausted or experience other stress reactions.