While life always presents challenges, to say these are stressful times would be an understatement. On top of recent national and global events, the pandemic changed our lives in so many ways that we’re still processing.
Isolation increased, socialization declined, and milestone events like graduations, weddings, and holiday gatherings were altered or even skipped. Even emerging from the pandemic has proven stress-inducing, as people try so hard to make the most of every occasion.
One thing that didn’t take pause was social media, and as you might guess, that only added fuel to the fire. What was once a diversion has now become an immersion in the 24/7 cycle of news and commentary, one we’re increasingly attached to even as it clutters our minds and constantly re-triggers our anxieties.
So it’s no surprise that feelings of depression, anxiety, and apathy have risen dramatically. Many people struggle with emotional regulation and maintaining healthy relationships. Adolescents feel stuck, and young adults have felt a failure to launch meaningful careers, with many still living at home with their parents and families. And the physical manifestations can’t be understated—fatigue, burnout, poor sleep and even panic attacks have become an exhausting day-to-day way of life for so many.
If any of this sounds familiar to you or a loved one, you’re far from alone. The experts at Rosecrance recommend a few things you can do for yourself. Try to strip away burnout and emotional fatigue by figuring out what your priorities really are and what’s in your control. It can help to make a checklist—or even draw a plate—and then figure out what can be pushed off that plate. Physical activity can help you feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally, boosting your mood and disrupting thought patterns you may be stuck in. Simply remembering to indulge in things you enjoy, like your favorite music, can also help. And if you have a network of support, use it. It’s OK not to be OK, and it’s good to talk about that.
Of course, professional help is always there to help you gain other skills, tools, and strategies that can help you not only get through today but live for tomorrow.
If someone you know is experiencing any mental health issues related to stress, check out episode 3 of the Rosecrance podcast “On Your Radar,” which covers our various stressors and the different ways they affect us.
Download “Our Stressors and How They Affect Us” episode 3, HERE.