One of the worst impacts of the COVID-19 virus has been on mental health. From depression to stress to fatigue, people are still going through many such conditions. Now, with the vaccination drive going in full swing, many American states are preparing to start pre-pandemic life. While some people can be eagerly waiting for this, reopening can cause anxiety issues in others. The professionals say experiencing worry, exhaustion, fear, stress, and other such things is normal. However, it is necessary to be careful of its effect on mental well-being so you can deal with it well. So, here are a few considerations Brian C Jensen.
Brian C Jensen: Navigating anxiety about reopening
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Mental health issues will continue to rise even after the end of the viral infection. Health professionals warn people that mental health consequences can continue to bother even after you heal physically. That’s why it is essential to care for your mind and its peace. There can be incidents of substance abuse, domestic violence, suicides, and others on the rise. Further, the problem can get worst with job loss, housing and food challenges, etc. In such situations, you can consult your close ones or health experts to get some guidance.
Pandemic fatigue
The rules around mask-wearing and social distancing have been in effect for more than a year to mitigate pandemic-related risks. But it has been exhausting for everyone to adjust to the new normal. Since this fatigue can lead to stress and anxiety, you need to be alert about any such feelings. Although many restrictions can go away, you must keep yourself updated on the guidelines to avoid any more reason to feel down.
Disturbed sleep
Already people had sleep problems. But sleep difficulty due to the pandemic is affecting almost all age groups. Lack of proper sleep can again result in stress and anxiety. Besides, you can lose grip over a routine. Your connection with most of the everyday activities has also got disrupted. So, once things open, you can still struggle to adapt to your lifestyle like the pre-pandemic days. As a result, you can feel stressed, and eventually, it can impact your sleep.
To avoid this, you have to prevent your insomnia and practice sleep hygiene. For example, as you prepare for the back-to-normal days, get your internal system adjusted; when you wake up, expose yourself to the bright light to remind it that it’s time to wake up. Similarly, you can set up a ritual for bedtime, says Brian C Jensen.
It is pretty natural to feel angry that the pandemic has not ended yet despite being around for more than a year. It has changed everyone’s lifestyle. Unfortunately, the changes were a must but challenging to follow, leading to additional suffering and distress. But it is essential to recognize that you can have anger issues due to this, and it’s time to step back a little. The leading cause of this can be anxiety, fear, depression, and helplessness. So you have to acknowledge whatever you are feeling and still not let it overpower you. It is not easy to achieve this, but your concerns and anxiety can remain at bay if you approach the issue consciously.