How COVID Is Affecting Your Physical and Mental Wellbeing

By Cathy Fleming

Uncertainty can cause a great deal of stress. In our current COVID situation, we live with the fear of catching the virus or the fear that we may not ever get back to life the way it used to be. How does the additional stress that the Corona Virus has brought on affect our physical and mental wellbeing?

Types of Stress

Stress is a significant contributor to chronic illness. Acute stress is a natural part of life, and we experience it throughout our lives. With acute stress, an event or circumstance create a flight or fight response. It is short-lived, and the body goes back to normal when the danger has passed.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, is a type of stress that is ongoing. Your body does not have time to go back to a normal state of being and is continually alert. This type of stress is harmful and causes chronic inflammation, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It can lead to mental decline as well.

COVID and Wellbeing

The stress that COVID has brought on has become chronic. We are in our third wave of outbreaks, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

The first place the virus hit was our pocketbooks. Shutting businesses down caused many jobs to be lost, adding financial stress to an already stressful situation.

The pandemic has forced us to live differently. Many of us now work at home with our husband, partner, or kids, causing a lot of distraction and stress. There are little to no opportunities anymore to get out and have some me-time. We had to get used to socializing virtually.

Being social, however, is a core stress reliever for us humans. Socializing and being with family and friends is so important, it can extend our life span. Not being able to mingle can be more harmful than a pack a day cigarette habit. COVID has taken away our ability in some ways to relieve stress naturally.

Relieving Stress During COVID

With the holidays coming up, it is even more important to pay attention to our wellbeing. Here are some stress relievers that can help you stay sane during the next few months:

● Make an effort to connect virtually with friends and family.

● Have a watch party

● Meet a friend for a walk outside

● Take a warm bath in the evenings.

● Begin a meditation practice if you don’t have one already

● Take time to get out of the house with the family.

● Write your feelings in a journal.

● Talk to a counselor

This year has been a stressful year due to the pandemic. To combat stress and build resiliency, make sure you are taking time for yourself.

Cathy is a Health and Wellness professional and has taught various Health Education programs targeting weight management and stress management. She has a Master's Degree in Media Psychology which she says helps her understand health behaviors. Photography and filmmaking are her hobbies.