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.