Our lives have undergone unprecedented change as the COVID-19 healthcare emergency unfolds. Sometimes these changes lead up to a terrible loss. As a result, you’re likely experiencing fear, anxiety, sadness, grief or anger.
It’s normal to have some type of stress reaction and for your body to hold on to experiences of difficult or traumatic events. Symptoms of stress or trauma can include:
- Physical symptoms — Shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heart rate, muscle tension.
- Cognitive symptoms — Impaired concentration, memory, problem solving or intrusive images or dreams.
- Emotional symptoms — Anxiety, panic, depression, irritability, anger, feelings of emptiness.
- Behavioral symptoms — Being hyper-alert to your environment, isolating, decreased appetite and sleep, increased alcohol consumption.
These symptoms can occur immediately or in the days or weeks that follow a life-changing event. Sometimes they may not occur for months, but can last for many weeks once they appear. If you experience chronic symptoms that interfere with your daily functioning, it’s important to seek professional support.
Noticing and attending to the symptoms of stress or trauma in our bodies are key to addressing and treating these issues. Often, when we change the way an experience affects our bodies, it changes our emotions and thoughts, which then changes our behaviors. Here are some strategies you can try to feel better: