But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
What can COVID Stress look like?
- anxious about your own and family’s health
- isolated from family and friends
- economically insecure
- frustrated at the inability to control the virus
- tired, irritable, having physical symptoms of stress
Everyone— from business owners, retail workers, teachers, students, law enforcement, medical personnel, support staff, the elderly, children, to at-home parents, and many more, are experiencing overwhelming stress—-
It is important to recognize when you could benefit from support.
Americans are coping with significant stress because of the COVID epidemic. It has changed our lives profoundly- – – by disrupting our daily life, making us fearful of sickness and dying, preventing us from socializing with friends and family, and interfering with our work and recreational activities.
Prolonged stress affects people in different ways. Many of us are anxious, fearful, and distracted, have trouble sleeping, feel irritable, are not eating well, or have low energy and motivation. Some watch the news on TV and read on social media obsessively, which in turn causes more fear and stress. Others try to hide their feelings from those close to them for fear of burdening them further.
To find relief from stress, more and more people are turning to therapists for help. Being listened to and feeling heard is one of the most important human needs. Family and friends can listen to and mutually support each other, but in therapy, the focus is on you and your unique situation. A therapist listens to you in a different way, without judgment or expectations, can support you in developing new coping skills, offer you different perspectives, and help restore hope for the future.
Read this blog to learn more about COVID STRESS, it’s real and impacting all of us.