- December 2, 2020
Are You COVID-19 Fatigued?
On March 11, 2020 The World Health Organization officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Globally, as of 02 November 2020, there have been 47,047,589 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1,207,947 deaths. After nearly 8 months, the constant flow of information and the new medical facts have still left us confused and with heightened fears. The best way to reduce fear is to know the facts to protect yourself, but information overload can spur excessive worry.
Dr. Sheila Jowsey-Gregoire, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist, says anxiety can build when people feel that a situation is out of their control. We are all in this together but how you as an individual respond to stress during the COVID-19 pandemic is exactly that, individualized! Many factors including your background, your social support from family or friends, your financial situation, your health and emotional background, and even which state you reside in affect stress levels. The changes that can occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways we try to contain the spread of the virus can be overwhelming.
Here are healthy ways to cope with stress:
Know what to do if you are sick. Contact a health professional before you start any treatment.
Know where and how to get treatment and other support ervices and resources, including counseling or therapy (in person or through telehealth services).
Take care of your emotional health. This will help you think clearly and react to urgent needs to protect yourself and your family.
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media.
Take care of your body: take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate; try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals; exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep; avoid excessive alcohol and drug use.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Connect with your community or faith-based organizations.
While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail. Contact your health care provider if you experience: difficulty sleeping, changes in eating patterns, difficulty concentrating on normal tasks, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, prolonged sadness, or overwhelming worry.
Continue to practice the safety guidelines by wearing masks, washing your hands, and keeping up with safe social distancing. A reminder that through ADP, all employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program and can reach out if you are ever feeling overwhelmed.
Source: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/