Covid’s Impact on Mental Health
The effects of COVID on health go far beyond political distress and physical symptoms. Since the beginning of 2020, our society has had to accommodate a completely different lifestyle subject to uncertainty, social distancing, isolation, and financial pressures.
Since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, between 4 and 10 adults in the U.S. reported symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Further research in July 2020 showed that many people in the
The United States reported adverse mental health and well-being effects, such as difficulty sleeping and worsening previous mental health conditions and chronic diseases.
Turning back the clock is not an option, and we have no choice but to adapt as best we can to COVID’s impact on society and this new sense of normalcy we live in.
Although there are many ways to cope on your own with these effects, Covid’s impact on mental health can be overwhelming, and online therapy has proven to be of tremendous help in overcoming these disabling conditions.
What are the mental health challenges we may face during COVID?
Physical and mental health are closely connected to each other. Poor mental health leads to chronic physical illnesses, and an unhealthy, sedentary, and poor dietary lifestyle can trigger mental health issues.
COVID’s impact on the U.S. has negatively affected our overall well-being. We now spend more time indoors, have increased screen time, and experience less social interaction.
If you haven’t felt like your best self during this time, you’re not alone. Even people dealing with a mental health condition prior to COVID have noticed a worsening of their symptoms due to the dramatically different circumstances we are living in.
The mental conditions most frequently reported as an effect of the pandemic are anxiety and depression, in addition to all the disorders associated with these two conditions.
Anxiety
Due to the economic Covid impact, uncertainty, change of routine, etc., discomfort related to anxiety symptoms have increased in the U.S. population.
When faced with a threatening situation, our central nervous system goes into fight-or-flight mode, producing cortisol and adrenaline, which are two stress hormones.
Although this is a positive response that helps us survive during emergencies, it can be very draining when we experience it in our day-to-day lives. This translates into constant stress, stomach problems, insomnia, lack of concentration, rapid heartbeat, heavy sweating, among others.
Depression
Due to loneliness, social isolation, home office, and other COVID effects, many Americans suffer from depression symptoms more than ever before.
These can include a general feeling of sadness during most of the day, having less interest in activities that bring you pleasure, having drastic changes in your weight, constant feelings of guilt and worthlessness, inability to make decisions, and so on.
The effects of depression can also affect your physical health by experiencing stomach issues, difficulty sleeping, lack of energy, and more.
Aside from these COVID’s impact on mental health, it has also affected relationships. Some of us have been cooped up with our partners like never before, noting their strengths and weaknesses and dealing with boredom, excessive time together, financial distress, parenting, etc.
Not to mention those who are single! Dating during times of pandemic makes the experience much more challenging since most of the meetings are done online, and there is not much chance of meeting people at social events.
It is also important to highlight that an untreated mental health challenge can ruin your immune system. Hence, paying attention to your mental well-being becomes a priority in times of crisis.
What self-care strategies can help you cope?
Taking charge of your health with self-care strategies can help you improve your physical and mental well-being during COVID.
Take Care of Your Physical Health
- Get enough sleep. Keep regular bedtimes and wake-up times every day, even if you don’t have to go to the office or do anything in particular.
- Engage in regular physical activity. Daily physical activity helps to reduce the harmful effects of anxiety and depression. If possible, try to make it an enjoyable outdoor activity.
- Eat healthy food. Stick to a well-balanced diet. Junk food, excess sugar, and caffeine can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and any other drugs. Incurring in alcohol or tobacco consumption can reduce your coping skills and weaken your overall health. Also, avoid drugs to cope with stress unless prescribed by your doctor.
- Limit screen time. Keep a regular schedule to use electronic devices and turn them off when it is over. Avoid watching T.V. or your cell phone half an hour before going to sleep, as this will help you rest better and be more relaxed.
- Relax and recharge. Don’t push or overexert yourself. Make time every day to relax by practicing meditation, yoga, journalism, or any other activity that helps you recharge your batteries.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
- Keep a regular routine. Maintaining a daily schedule is vital to your mental well-being. Try keeping consistent times for bathing, exercising, meals, getting dressed, and study or work schedules. Make room for hobbies and other activities you enjoy. This regular schedule can make you feel more in control.
- Limit exposure to news and social media. News is not like it used to be. Back in the day, you would see 2 or 3 headlines that would stay for the rest of the week, but now there is breaking news coming out every minute, which can trigger your anxiety symptoms. Limit social media to avoid rumors and false information, and always stick to reliable sources.
- Stay busy. Spending a lot of time doing nothing can trigger a negative cycle of thoughts that feed your depression or anxiety. Keep yourself busy by reading, cooking, learning a new craft, or studying something that interests you.
- Keep a positive mindset. Make a conscious effort to focus on the positive aspects of your life. Make a daily list of five things you are grateful for to keep your problems in perspective.
- Connect with others. If it is not as easy to interact with people as before, look for an online community to support you. Talk to your acquaintances, family, and friends via video call and enjoy virtual socializing.
- Set priorities. Don’t set unrealistic expectations of how you should lead your life. This will only make you feel overwhelmed and discouraged in no time. Create reasonable goals and give yourself credit for every step forward, no matter how small.
- Get professional help: Don’t feel discouraged if these strategies are not enough to overcome your symptoms. If you are unable to control the negative effects of anxiety or depression on your mental health, don’t wait for them to get worse and call a mental health professional.
Can Online Therapy Help?
The effect of Covid-19 on health may have been challenging to bear, but at least they have made us talk about mental health far more than before, opening up the possibility of online therapy.
In a perfect world, whenever we feel sad, lost, distressed, or with no one to turn to, we should get the required assistance and mental support to overcome our problems.
However, booking a professional therapist can take a long time, not to mention its cost on our wallet, especially during COVID times.
That is why online therapy is a great alternative to help you receive proper treatment remotely. Researchers have found that online therapy sessions had an equivalent positive effect to in-person psychological treatment.
The benefits of online therapy include:
- Accessibility: Attending several sessions per month is not convenient for most clients these days. If you suffer from symptoms of anxiety or depression, going to a clinic every week may feel more like a burden than a solution.
Besides, finding the right face-to-face therapist can be a long-winded process that must be repeated if you don’t feel satisfied with the one you get to see.
Remote counseling services are more accessible. It takes a few minutes to contact a new therapist that suits your expectations due to the wide variety of professionals available.
- Convenience: Online therapy can also be more convenient than in-person sessions. Online counseling sessions take less time away from your workday, you can save money and time on travel, and you can also do it from the comfort of whatever environment you choose.
- Effectiveness: There is a common misconception that online therapy is not as effective as in-person therapy, which is not true. Numerous studies have proven that both types of treatment are equally effective for addressing mental health conditions.
Anxiety and Depression Treatment in St. Petersburg, Florida
Covid’s impact on mental health in the U.S. has been widespread on its citizens’ well-being. While a couple of years have passed since its arrival, studies about its impact on various mental conditions continue to emerge.
The most recognized are anxiety and depression, along with the vast array of related disorders such as OCD, GAD, phobias, bipolar disorder, etc.
There are different self-care strategies that you can practice on your own to have more control over your physical and mental health.
However, mental health disorders can build-up to the point where you can no longer manage them on your own. In that case, you must call a specialist to get a proper diagnosis and create an effective psychological treatment plan to regain your mental and emotional well-being.
Our clinician Soula Hareas has experienced it first hand and offers in-person and virtual therapy assistance that can help you work through the negative consequences of your thinking patterns.
Online therapy will help you identify anxiety and depression symptoms, better understand your dysfunctional beliefs, and improve your reaction and approach to COVID’s daily challenges.
At McNulty Counseling and Wellness, you can book an in-person meeting or incorporate online therapy from your desktop, tablet, or smartphone. in a way that fits into your busy lifestyle. You can take sessions from the comfort of your home or office without having to set aside a large space in your schedule to keep up with therapy over time.
Please take a look at all our counseling services and start taking care of yourself today.
