Health officials continue to stress the importance of paying attention to the physical symptoms of COVID. By now, almost everyone in the world knows that if they feel any signs of a dry cough, lack of taste or a fever then they should go get their noses swabbed. Also, wearing a mask, maintaining distance and washing our hands is now a part of our daily routines. However, it’s generally the physical aspects of our health that we continue to stress. With that being said, can COVID-19 affect us only if there are noticeable, physical changes to our bodies? Can the virus have an impact on our minds and emotional states as well?
Research says yes, it may indeed. Although we may not be directly infected with the virus, the isolated environment, lack of social interactions and abrupt halt on our lives that the pandemic forced us all to go through can take a toll on most of our mental states. Researchers Javed et. al (2020) published an article discussing the negative implications that living in a global pandemic has on our mental health. They pointed out that there may be some groups within the population who are more prone to developing mental illnesses during the pandemic than others.
Who is the most emotionally impacted by the virus?
If you live with younger siblings or children in your household, you're probably very familiar with the constant nagging and complaining they do as a result of staying inside all the time. Children and adolescents are a group that Javed et al. (2020) mentioned are especially prone to developing mental illness during the pandemic. They may have a harder time coping, as a result of the inability to handle stress, anxiety and feelings of uncertainty that comes with the pandemic. Completing school online has also proven to be difficult, especially if children are living in a negligent or abusive household where it is harder for them to focus on their studies.
The elderly are another group that have been deemed most at risk, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, the majority of the elderly population who were forced to quarantine or physically distance experienced a significant decline in their mental wellbeing. This may come from a lack of interaction with others and increased loneliness.
Health workers are also among the high-risk groups, especially those working on the frontlines. Repeatedly witnessing tragic and shocking events while working for extremely long hours at a time can undoubtedly affect the workers’ mental health.
If you have someone in your life that belongs to any three of these groups, then you may be impacted as well. As much as you love your younger sibling or your grandmother, caring for them and constantly attending to their emotional needs may become draining. Additionally, if you are close with a health care worker who works at the front lines, anxiety may keep developing around them and their wellbeing.
So, we now understand that COVID can be detrimental to our mental health. What should we do about it?
⇨First off, prioritize taking care of yourself!
And I'm not just talking about wearing a mask and applying hand sanitizer every 10 minutes! I also mean letting yourself take more breaks while studying, go on more walks, have more playtime with a pet or younger sibling. Do more activities that you enjoy!
⇨Stay in touch with your loved ones.
Talk to a trusted family member or friend when you're not feeling so great. Also, make sure to listen to others who have reached out to you about feeling down. We all need somebody to lean on and we can all make such a big difference in each other's lives by being there for each other during times of distress.
⇨If there are any children, elders or health care workers in your life, be sure to check on them regularly.
These groups need more care and attention from us, and even the simplest 'how are you feeling today?' texts can significantly improve their moods and help them feel cared for.
⇨Acknowledge when you have a sudden change in your usual mood or behaviours.
Have you constantly been experiencing a loss in appetite lately? Don't enjoy reading your favourite novels as you used to? Feel that it's draining to even text your best friend? Maybe something more serious than just' having a bad day' is going on.
⇨Recognize when your mental health has become a problem that is affecting either yourself or others around you.
Your mental wellbeing is just as important as your physical wellbeing. It's rare that we get through a fever by telling ourselves we'll just 'get over it' and refuse to see a doctor or take medication. So why should anxiety or depression be treated any different?
Here is a list of common symptoms of changes in mental health retrieved from Mayo Clinic (2019):
- Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
- Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
- Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
- Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
- Excessive anger, hostility or violence
- Problems with alcohol or drug use
- Suicidal thinking
Please note that this isn't an exhaustive list and that if you are feeling any major, negative changes to your mental health that is impacting you and/or your loved ones lives, it is time to speak to a professional.
Here are some resources you can reach out to receive help or to learn more information about mental health services:
https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
References
Javed, B., Sarwer, A., Soto, E., & Mashwani, Z. (2020). The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic's impact on mental health. The International journal of health planning and management,35, 993-996. 10.1002/hpm.3008
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019, June 08). Mental Illness. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968#:~:text=Excessive%20fears%20or%20worries%2C%20or,low%20energy%20or%20problems%20sleeping
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