The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns over the past year have taken a physical and mental tole on people worldwide. In part 2 of a two-part series, reporter Cassidy Taylor has statistics on how the pandemic has affected mental health overall and what you can do to improve your own mental health…
An August 2020 publication in the Cognitive Therapy and Research journal reported that the perceived stress related to COVID-19 is associated with a greatly elevated risk of anxiety and depressive disorders, and that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health can be worse for individuals’ experiences with the virus, including personal diagnosis and the death of loved ones.
The CDC offers a list of resources to help people manage their fear, anxiety, and stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic, including crisis-prevention hotlines and assistance for the treatment of substance abuse. Other recommendations for reducing stress include connecting virtually with others, taking mental breaks from stressful activities, avoiding overexposure to news outlets, and taking care of your body with balanced meals and a regular sleep schedule. More information is available at the links below.
The Impact of Covid-19 Experiences and Associated Stress on Anxiety, Depression, and Functional Impairment in American Adults:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7456202/
CDC: Coping with Stress:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html#stressful
