Advice for dealing with stresses of COVID-19 pandemic
The past two years have been hard.
The comfort we took in the predictability of our pre-pandemic lives was replaced by a sense of uncertainty that has permeated virtually every aspect of our daily living. Never before were we compelled to ask whether workplaces or schools would be open, whether we’d connect with family or friends, or how regulations might affect the most basic activities. The pandemic has shaken our sense of control and connection.
Children are especially sensitive to these disruptions. With less well-developed capacity for coping they are especially vulnerable to the consequences of pandemic life. Regardless of age, the stress for all of us has accumulated and increases in anxiety, depression, suicides, and overdoses reflect the toll.
But capitalizing on the foundation of resilience is inherent in each of us; there are things we can do.
Knowing what to expect makes it possible to take action. Anticipate frustration, impatience, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep and appetite, and tension in relationships. These things are to be expected. We all have a bit of PTSD and for now the stress is ongoing. We are not yet “post.”
Stay connected to family and friends, to the greatest extent possible. Maintain a routine, even if it differs from your pre-pandemic routine. It will increase predictability in your daily life. To the degree possible, eat well and move. Stress accumulates in the body as well as in the emotions.
Blanket advice won’t al- ways fit a specific person’s or family’s circumstances, so it is essential to under- stand your personal reaction to stress. As needed, relieve it with things that worked in the past. And as needed, talk with your healthcare professional for additional guidance.
— Michael S. Prezioso, Ph.D. is Director of Com- munity Services, Commissioner, Saratoga County Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services