Compassion is Part of Managing Stress
Authors: Dana Dupuis, M.A., & Dr. Kerri Ritchie, C.Psych. Clinical, Counseling, and Health Psychologist
It is normal to feel stress related to COVID-19 and all the pressures that it may present. As the weeks of change and uncertainty continue, many of us are feeling stretched and stressed. Some of us are letting go of some of the coping strategies that have helped us and are adding strategies that make us feel better in the moment, but we might regret later on. Read on for some validation that you are not alone in this struggle.
Stress is a normal, often healthy, response to environmental change or threat that requires us to adjust or respond in some way. COVID-19 has brought many changes, challenges and uncertainties.
Increases in stress can impact our emotions, mind and body. People may find that they are feeling more anxious, overwhelmed, sad, fearful, angry, frustrated, irritable or lonely. Many might feel more worried, have more negative thoughts, and have difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Stress can also create fatigue, muscle tension and headaches.
We all experience stress differently. It can be helpful to pay attention to how you experience stress to understand when and how to cope effectively. Perhaps most importantly, remind yourself it is OK to be OK and not OK. If by the end of the day you regret how many cookies you ate, bags of chips you polished off, or that extra glass of wine you had, be compassionate with yourself and others.
Coping with stress
People cope with stress in many different ways. There is a complex interplay of biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors that all work to increase or decrease someone’s risk for using alcohol and other substances, especially in response to stress.
For anyone who is dealing with prolonged stress, there can be times when we start to feel less control over some of our coping strategies. Some behaviours can actually increase our levels of stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation, and can lower our mood.
When this happens, we can start to feel as if our behaviours are gaining control over our day, and/or taking up too much space in our lives. Perhaps other people in our lives are telling us so.
When we are stressed, it is normal to try to get our bodies back to feeling more comfortable. Using food, exercise, alcohol, gambling, video games, internet surfing, etc. are all ways that people try to manage their emotions. Although they can help with the feelings in that moment, they can also result in an increase in negative feelings when the impact wears off. Over time, the behaviours we used to try to feel more in control actually do the opposite. And there can be negative consequences to our physical and emotional health.
Here are some things you can try to manage your stress:
Do the best you can to support your wellness choices whenever possible.
Sleep and rest when you can; try to keep moving and stay active; try to make healthy food choices when possible.
Monitor your use of stimulants like caffeine and nicotine to see if they are negatively impacting your sleep and stress.
Stay within the guidelines for alcohol and recreational substances like cannabis.
Visit (or meet virtually) with your doctor or other member of your care team regularly.
Do activities that you enjoy.
Follow a daily schedule or routine to help provide structure, even when you are staying home.
Try some relaxation exercises.
Practice positive self-talk.
Show self-compassion through comforting or soothing activities (e.g., have a bubble bath or curl up with a warm blanket).
Reach out to supportive people in your life via phone or video call.
If you are having trouble coping with stress, consider seeking out professional supports like a mental health professional. You can talk to your doctor or other member of your care team about your options.
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