Another pandemic is coming: Stress-related illness

developed sleep problems. 35% sleep less and 31% sleep more than desired.

Alcohol: 23% of respondents reported drinking more to cope with stress over the past year.

Mental health: 46% of Gen Z, 33% of Gen Y, 31% of Millennials, and 28% of Boomers said their mental health worsened over the past year. 48% of mothers with children under 18 say their mental health has deteriorated.

Physical health: 47% of people have delayed or canceled health care services.

Vaccines offer hope that the coronavirus will be controlled. But millions of Americans will continue to struggle with the impact of stress. Over 550,000 families will be grieving a loved one lost to COVID. Countless coronavirus survivors have been traumatized by their near-death experiences. Physical problems such as obesity and sleep disturbance will plague people for years to come. One in three Americans will suffer from mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

You can avoid these unhappy consequences, but you need to take action now to implement resilience behaviors. The APA report recommends a three-part strategy to overcome the impact of pandemic stress:

Keep a journal to determine when you are overeating, making poor food choices, or drinking alcohol. Note the time of the day. Identify the stressors that occurred that day, including times you were bored. Knowing your triggers can help you recognize when you’re most at risk of making unhealthy choices.

Pay attention to how you feel after indulging in unhealthy behaviors. For example, having a few glasses of wine will undoubtedly make you feel better at night. But how do you feel the