April has been designated Stress Awareness Month since 1992 to raise public awareness around the causes and cures of our modern stress epidemic. This April, I have taken a look back at how the coronavirus pandemic has tampered with stress levels.
“the past twelve months, falling in and out of lockdown, have been an emotional rollercoaster for everybody.”
As the pace of life has accelerated, The World Health Organisation has classified stress as the health epidemic of the 21st century; add on top of this a global pandemic and you have a recipe for disaster.
We’ve surpassed the one-year ‘lockdown anniversary’ and it’s fair to say that the past twelve months, falling in and out of lockdown, have been an emotional rollercoaster for everybody. Parents have become teachers, spare bedrooms have become offices, and dining tables have become office desks. Weeks have been full of highs and lows, stressful and emotionless days.
Cause of Stress
Stress is produced by hormones and is our body’s response to pressure. It is triggered when something unexpected happens or we feel out of control, which we all know too well at the moment. Although restrictions are necessary to stop the spread of the virus, they have undoubtedly caused a lot of stress amongst populations. 96% of people said that they have felt more stressed the past year than ever before. However, only six percent of people said that their stress was caused solely by the worry of catching the virus; while forty-four percent said that they have been more stressed by the disruptive impact lockdowns have had on daily life. Most people have been stressed about missing out on socialising with family and friends, working from home, or pubs and sports facilities being closed.
Outcomes
Pandemic stress has proved to have a variety of outcomes for different individuals. While the vast majority of people have felt less motivated working and studying from home, some said that they have felt more productive in work and saving money, because there is not much else to do or focus on. Albeit 84% of people have struggled to maintain their ‘motivation’ through such turbulent times. Some said they have been demotivated with their health and fitness as there is no pressure to go out and see anyone. Others have been less enthusiastic about their work without colleagues to help them and keep them company throughout each day. Also, without holidays or social events to look forward to, people have found themselves in lower spirits, allowing stressful situations to affect them more than they usually would.
Students described their online university experience as ‘surreal’ and, therefore, lack motivation to complete tasks. Without adequate guidance, they said that they feel like their work is not as important. Therefore, find it easier to get away with doing little work without physical interaction with lecturers and tutors. Inevitably, it is harder to study in one isolated room knowing you are missing out on the full ‘uni experience’. Some even said that working remotely has led them to lose interest in their area of study.
The constant unknown, uncertainty, and feeling like life is on hold has left people thinking that time is running out. People said that they feel confined and isolated in a new ‘normal’ that is so far away from what we are used to. Many people said that the lack of routine, and their lack of control over the abrupt curtailment of their old routines, has caused them a lot of stress.
Impact on Anxiety, Eating, Drinking & Sleeping Habits
Over 50% of people said that stress caused by the pandemic has led to some kind of obsessive behaviour. Many people feel more anxious about social situations after being cooped up at home for months. Those already suffering with anxiety said that they’ve found it has got worse during the pandemic and the thought of being in public spaces now daunts them. Others said they have been diagnosed with anxiety after months of limited social contact and interaction.
“many people have been sleeping more.”
Many people said they have been eating more as a distraction and emotional comfort, using food as something to look forward to while social events have been limited. Others said they have been drinking more alcohol, even though pubs, bars, and clubs have been closed, purposely to ‘mark’ the weekend and escape from stressful reality.
With a ‘there is nothing to do’ mentality, feeling sluggish and demotivated, many people have been sleeping more. Although this has not been the case for everyone. While the worry and stress has kept some people up at night, others have reverted to sleeping time away.
Financial Stress
It is needless to say that national lockdowns have had a significant impact on the economy, and this has affected the working population in different ways – some have thrived, others have found themselves wading through serious financial stress. Even though there have been less opportunities to spend, overall, an estimated 12.5 million people in the UK say their households have been hit financially by the coronavirus. Masses of employees have been put on furlough or made redundant.
According to independent research institutes, higher income groups have accumulated more savings, while lower income groups have faced income falls. The poorest fifth in the UK has seen an average £170 per month decline in their bank balances, which has understandably had a detrimental impact on their financial wellbeing.
Small businesses and companies face challenges they never have before. Industries put under the most stress as a result of the pandemic include the Airline industry, Restaurant, and Leisure Facilities industries.
Coping Strategies
Under so much pressure, it has been vital to implement daily routines and habits to deal with pandemic stress. Most people have relied on a daily walk to help their peace of mind. Walking is a great stress reliever and has been one of the only reasons to leave the house. It provides fresh air and is a light form of cardiovascular exercise, which boosts endorphins. These endorphins can reduce stress hormones, improve mood and self-esteem. So, if you aren’t already strutting the streets on the daily, I highly recommend taking at least ten minutes a day to get out and do so.
Even just getting out in the garden can help boost your mood. For a more demanding alternative, many people turned to running and home workouts. This has helped to maintain some sort of routine and keep stress levels at bay. Others relied upon yoga and meditation, which are great ways to relax the body and mind and relieve stress.
Thanks to tech, zoom calls and facetime have allowed us to keep in contact with friends and family in virtual fashion. Many said this has helped their stress levels as catch ups give them something to look forward to. Gardening, DIY, and podcasts were also high contenders, providing a distraction from drab news broadcasts. Keeping things simple, others said they’ve allowed themselves an extra cup of tea when they’ve felt they’ve needed it.
Additionally, a smart phone app called ‘todoist’ was recommended. On this app you can create daily lists in organised sections to help you keep on track and feel accomplished.
Talk It Out & Reduce The Stigma
“don’t be afraid about speaking up.”
If there is one thing that can relieve stress, it is talking to others. It is important to remember that everyone around you is going through the same thing. I’m sure friends and family would be happy to talk through your worries with you. It may even help them relieve their stress too – so don’t be afraid about speaking up. Many people also said that talking to a therapist has helped them through this tough time. So, if you feel like you are in need of more professional support, this may be an option to look into. Others recommended Silver Cloud, a mental health and wellbeing support platform provided by the NHS.
Eve Davies
Image courtesy of Tonik on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
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