In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re living through history right now. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and our entire world has been turned upside down. Even if you’ve managed to stay healthy and keep your job (lucky you!), your life is still different than it was at the beginning of this year. Maybe you had to work from home for a while, or homeschool your kids. You haven’t been able to have a nice meal out, grab drinks with your friends, or go out and see a show.

 I can’t even count how many patients I’ve seen whose stress, anxiety and depression has been exacerbated by this pandemic. One lovely gentleman, let’s call him Frank, started to get extremely irritable after a few months of being indoors. His job involved a lot of travel, which he loved, but is no longer able to do at the moment. Now working strictly from home, he’s been having a hard time sleeping, started getting headaches, and has been uncharacteristically lashing out at his family. Frank knew that he had no real reason to be so stressed. After all, he was still employed, all of his family and friends were healthy, and he had access to everything he needed, including toilet paper! But that didn’t change the fact that his body and mind were being adversely affected by the sudden changes in his life, as well as the uncertainty of the future.

Even before the threat of Covid-19 shook up our communities, most of us had very high levels of stress. Demanding jobs, being a good parent, keeping up with friends, taking care of family, and making sure we have enough money to do it all – this is already a lot to be taking on. Add the changes to our lives that the coronavirus has brought, and all the questions and uncertainty, and now our baseline levels of stress are even higher. With that higher baseline, we’re even more vulnerable to whatever else comes our way. Anxiety and depression can be exacerbated. And even people who consider themselves laid back are feeling the squeeze.

This can also manifest with physical symptoms that you might not connect to stress. More headaches, digestive discomforts, problems sleeping, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, women’s menstrual irregularities, and even an increase of muscular pain can be signs from your body that you’re experiencing increased stress, even if you don’t notice it mentally.

 Experts have coined a new term for this phenomenon: Post Pandemic Stress Disorder. Of course, we’re not really “post pandemic” yet, we’re still very much in it, but that doesn’t lessen the effect. The prediction is that things are going to get worse before they get better, and it’s important to start treating this now.

 There are few things that you can do, whether you are currently experiencing increased stress and anxiety or want to prevent the occurrence of post pandemic stress disorder.

1.     Acknowledge it

Sometimes it can be hard to accept that you’re being affected by the current circumstances. We like to think that we’re strong and resilient – and we are! But right now things are different. Just by reading this article you can see that it is a real thing, and it could explain why you’ve been feeling the way you have. Admit that there’s a lot going on right now that can effect your mental health and stress levels, and that it’s ok. 

2.     Limit News and Social Media

Of course it’s important to stay informed and up to date on news, as well as with family and friends. However, 24 hour news cycles, overly-politicized debates, and constant phone pinging will make even the most chill person paranoid and stressed out. 30 years ago, people read the newspaper in the morning, then went on with their day. And if they wanted to know what you were up to, they called. This is a much healthier way to interact with news and social. I recommend turning off all notifications on your phone. Then choose one time during the day where you can spend 30 minutes or less catching up with your online feeds. After that, move on and enjoy the rest of your life.

3.     Increase Stress Management and Self Care

The more crazy stuff that’s going on in your life (and in the world), the more important it is to manage stress. Block off some extra time right now and make it a priority. There are lots of things you can do to manage stress. Some people love exercise and movement, others prefer hobbies, and of course meditation and prayer can be especially helpful. Personally, I get outside and take a walk most days, practice yoga regularly, play music, and meditate. Some of my patients love gardening, hiking, sewing, cycling and drawing. The more things you can add to your day and your week, the better. And make sure that while you’re engaging in these activities, you get into a flow state, and let the rest of the world fall away.

 On top of that, some self care practices can be super helpful. Get enough sleep, eat lots of fruits and veggies, and be kind to yourself. Even mindfully making a cup of tea, or spending a little extra time in the bath or shower, can be beneficial. And of course getting a massage and/or some acupuncture is a great way to take care of yourself.

Looking for some more, personalized recommendations? We’re currently open and taking new patients. You can make an appointment online at acupuncturecarolina.com.

Author:
Elizabeth Willams, LAc is an acupuncturist and herbalist in Greenville, South Carolina, specializing in pain management, women’s health, and psycho-emotional issues. She’s passionate about helping people feel their best and sharing her wealth of knowledge with the community. Elizabeth is the owner of Dragonfly Acupuncture & Massage on Wade Hampton Boulevard. Appointments can be made by calling 864-451-4313 or scheduled online.