Being able to move from one place to another was a luxury that many of us took for granted.
It’s not just about being able to go from one place to another; moving around, for some of us, meant that we could move away from problems or come closer to solutions.
Social distancing and isolation, however, have left us with very little choice regarding where we should go. For example, just going to school has become difficult, with classes having been cancelled so many times now. Even seeing your friends is hard because of lockdown orders. The restrictions brought about by the pandemic have communities around the world in so many ways.
Do you feel like the pandemic has significantly affected your mental and emotional health?
If so, then you may want to consider seeing a professional to help you. Remote counselling is an excellent option for this.
The Pandemic Has Aggravated Many Problems
Lockdowns and isolation have aggravated problems for many people.
Being cooped up at home or being away from places where we want to be can be difficult.
Among the most affected aspects include the following:
- Existing relationship issues: All of us experience relationship issues regardless of how old we are. For example, you may be going through problems with your family, friends, or significant other at your age. These problems, unfortunately, may become aggravated due to the pandemic. There are many reasons why this can happen — stress, lack of communication and isolation, among others.
- Academic issues: Regular school before the pandemic was hard enough. Now, with the on-and-off remote learning sessions, school has become even more stressful. This may lead to further difficulties with schoolwork, leading to other problems in your academic life.
- Loneliness: Loneliness due to isolation during the pandemic is another serious problem that many still deal with. Humans are designed to be social creatures and are not used to being isolated for too long. Feelings of loneliness during lockdown are completely normal, though some may be taking it harder than others.
- Communication difficulties: Even if may want to, some of us just find it hard to open up to other people. The lack of close human contact due to the lockdown makes communication even more difficult.
Many of these would not have been as serious if social distancing and isolation weren’t required. However, we’re living in a new reality now.
Even if quarantine gets called off, it’s still risky to go out since the pandemic is still ongoing. With this in mind, it is important to consider alternatives to going out and moving around.
Mental Health is a Particular Concern
Of particular concern to many professionals is the effect of the pandemic on mental and emotional health.
Even before quarantine became a thing, isolation already had adverse effects on mental health.
These usually happened on a smaller scale before, but it has become much more common now.
Aside from aggravating already-existing mental and emotional health issues, the chances for developing new conditions are much higher. Among these include the following:
- Anxiety: Anxiety disorder is characterized by uncontrollable and excessive fear, worry, or restlessness. Many things about the pandemic can lead to the development and worsening of anxiety disorder. These include fear of getting the virus, intense stress of coping, or social anxiety due to isolation.
- Depression: Depression is also a very serious mental health condition that can be aggravated by the pandemic. Studies have shown that depression has become more common due to the challenges set by COVID-19.
- Self-harm: Thoughts and acts of self-harm also became much more common during the pandemic. This does not necessarily mean suicide, however. Even just thoughts and small acts of self-harm are worrisome.
- Substance abuse: Alcohol and drug abuse are seen in a very bad light by many people. However, most are not aware that substance abuse is a serious disorder, and even youths are at risk. Some people have resorted to substance abuse to cope with the stresses of the pandemic. The lack of social contact over the past months has only made the problem worse.
Physical health is also massively impacted, and not in the ways most would expect. The pandemic indeed brings a significant risk of coronavirus. There are also many other indirect consequences on physical health.
The link between mental, emotional, and physical health has long been established. Increased stress and anxiety, for example, can increase the chances of diseases like cancer and other heart problems.
Coping Mechanisms
Therapy is one way of coping with all the stressors of the pandemic.
Still, it’s not the only way. There are other steps you can do to ensure that your mental well-being is kept in peak shape.
The following, in particular, are excellent ones to do during a lockdown:
1. Reach out to family and friends.
One of the biggest challenges brought about by the pandemic is the isolation of people from loved ones.
This isn’t easy since contact and socialization are a common way of de-stressing.
Luckily, you can make full use of today’s technology to stay in touch. True, you won’t physically be there, but talking things out online also helps.
2. Group activities online can be fun
There are also many online activities designed for groups that you can do with family and friends.
Messenger apps and social media sites usually have a great selection of these.
3. Find a new hobby
Play a video game, find a book to read, learn a sport, or make something with your hands.
Getting a new hobby is great because it allows you to pour your time and efforts into something fun or productive.
It’s vital during the pandemic because you’ll likely have more free time to take advantage of.
4. Get plenty of rest and exercise
A lot of people have gained weight in the pandemic due to stress eating and lack of exercise.
Try to live more healthily if you’re one of the people affected by this.
Physical health, after all, directly impacts your mental state.
5. Make a list of plans
We all long for the end of the pandemic, and it’s what keeps many of us going.
Make a list of plans of what you want to do with friends and family when it’s all over.
You’ll get through a bad day more easily if you have something good to look forward to.
Remote Counselling Can Help
Counselling, though extremely helpful, can be a logistical challenge during a lockdown.
Luckily, remote counselling has become more popular over the past year or so.
If you feel like you can benefit from a counsellor’s advice, why not try remote counselling? Some of the things you can get out of it include:
Remote counselling is just like face-to-face counselling with more bonuses
Remote counselling has all the benefits of traditional face-to-face sessions – plus its own added benefits.
You don’t have to leave the safety of home to see a counsellor, meaning you’re safe from the virus.
Counselling remotely means that you also get to choose from any counsellor, regardless of location. In terms of convenience, you skip the waiting lines, and scheduling remote sessions is a breeze.
These are just some examples of the pros of remote counselling.
You get a nice safe space for talking about issues
Not everyone feels that home is safe for talking about issues and problems.
With remote counselling, you’re able to share your real thoughts while staying home.
While this merely feels like superficial safety, it’s a step closer to associating home as a safe space.
You learn new coping mechanisms
Counsellors are well-versed in helping people stay in top mental and emotional shape.
This is why they can impart you with skills that prioritize your wellness. Being away from school and your friends is tough and can be very stressful.
With remote counselling, professionals can help you learn skills to help you properly cope with pandemic stress.
The progress you make is monitored
It’s always nice to know if you’re making progress at anything that you do.
When you see a counsellor, all your progress towards wellness is logged. This means that you have concrete evidence that you’re genuinely taking steps to make yourself better.
It works extremely well with remote counselling.
You improve on your relationships
Whether your relationships are good or not, the skills you learn during counselling can help make them better.
Of course, this will only happen if you want improvements to happen.
Luckily, the skills you get can give you insights into how you should go about improving your relationships.
Find a Counsellor Today
The pandemic has changed our lives, and many of us are negatively affected.
If you need professional help in dealing with that stress, find a counsellor that can help.
Capital Choice serves Ottawa and the neighbouring areas and is a great place to find an experienced counsellor. Contact us today to get started on online counselling or remote therapy.