Many of us are experiencing anxiety and stress related to the COVID-19 issue.
CKDM spoke with Julia Senchuk with the psychology department at Brandon University.
She says it’s important to remember we’re all in this together, and that it’s okay to have feelings of worry or fear at a time like this; they are emotions almost all of us are experiencing in one way or another.
“A lot of the problem with this situation is the unknown and uncertainty, this is one of the biggest causes of stress.”
Senchuk offered her expertise on what you can do to manage your mental wellbeing at this time.
“We want to look at (1) how we are eating, are we eating well? (2) How we are sleeping, are we getting enough sleep? and (3) are we moving? A lot of gyms are closing, but we can go for a walk. Play with the kids, take the dog out. Things that get us moving and active can maintain that basic level of mental health, so we can cope with the stress we are dealing with.”
Although many of us will experience significant social isolation during this time, Senchuk recommends using technology to stay connected with friends, family, and the community.
“Let’s use our technology to our advantage. Many of us are isolated for various reasons. Let’s learn how to use our technology so we can connect; whether we’re using phone, video chat, or social media to really connect with others. That does help our mental health and allows us to check on others and see how they’re coping with the situation.”
Julia Senchuk works with Brandon University’s Department of Psychology. She also runs her own private counselling practice.
