Looking forward, we will be able to reflect on the last 2 years as the time when the World we knew quite literally changed. We have all been forced to take on the challenges of change throughout 2020 and 2021, and have had to learn to adjust and adapt very quickly. These sudden and “forced” changes have impacted all aspects of our lives both personally and professionally and, as the residue of the Pandemic remains but changes, so must we.
Sudden and unplanned change brings pressure in all manner of ways. It is hard to keep up with what is happening sometimes and this can lead to us feeling out of control.
What we know about change, is that it affects us all differently and, depending on our resilience, how well we manage generally. Our Mental Health and wellbeing is possible to manage, however, the constant changes and the drain to our emotional and physical wellbeing can cause too much added pressure. In order to manage, we need to feel as if we have some control over what is happening to us.
Too much placed on an individual where there is no room for “let up” can cause feelings and emotions to build until, like a pressure cooker, there is a breaking point. This leads from normal every day pressures, to something more and to the point we may feel “just one more thing and I will explode”. Dramatic yes, but many of us may have an idea of what that may feel like. This is stress, and we need to think about and identify the sources of our stress. There are many factors that affect us –
- Physical Stress
- Environmental Stress
- Emotional Stress
- Key life events
- Chronic Stress
Existing mental health issues can also become a source of stress in themselves, for example, those living with an anxiety disorder and/or depression can be more prone to stress as they try to manage their day to day conditions.
Those who are perhaps more vulnerable are more likely to develop mental health issues and illnesses when high stress levels are present. So, given that, what can we do about it? The key is to help people.
Examine the factors that make them vulnerable and encouraging them to look for positive ways to change them.
Helpful coping strategies
- Make time for yourself for positive experiences
- Get enough rest
- Talk to someone
- Take exercise and get fresh air
- Keep hydrated
- Remember you are not alone
- Think about how resourceful and adaptable you have had to be during the Pandemic
- Be kind to yourself
All these things appear so simple, but when one feels overwhelmed it is difficult to see a clear way forward. There is one, we just need to believe that.
What might stop you from moving forward? Is it fear or uncertainty? Can you give it a name?
The Pandemic has changed things for us all in some way and, those changes for many have been dramatic. It is okay to ask for help, and, it is okay not to be okay!
Pressure is part of our usual everyday lives, but we need to manage our healthy levels of pressure effectively to prevent it having a detrimental impact on our wellbeing by turning in to Stress. Stress is real and should not be ignored. It can however, “be managed”.
Coping with stress at Christmas
The pressures of 2020 and 2021 will have heightened feelings of stress for many. And, for these people, Christmas may be an extremely difficult time.
Christmas is usually characterised as a time for celebration – music, bright lights, giving presents, seeing loved ones and enjoying food and drink. Sadly, all of this extravagance is far from the reality this year. There are now additional strains at a time already fraught with demands, as we all continue to adhere to social distancing and the merriment is much more muted. Plus, there are the usual pressures of Christmas to contend with, which include:
- Expectations to socialise (even within our allowed households) and spend more money
- The emphasis on loneliness at this perceived time of togetherness
- Heightened feelings of loss or grief
- Additional cleaning and cooking, on top of already busy lives
- Arguments amongst family during a time of closer proximity
- Financial worries, heightened by the pressure of choosing perfect gifts
- Pressure on hosts to provide the perfect Christmas for children, parents or guests
- A study conducted by eBay compared Christmas shopping to running a marathon in terms of the stress that it produces on the body. Women and the over-45s found the experience the most pressurising and intense. 60% of those surveyed experienced shopping fatigue after 32 minutes, with heart rates increasing by an average of 33% during this time.
Christmas is also a time when most people, whether they struggle with stress or not, consume more alcohol than usual. This can cause people to behave in uncharacteristic, risky or embarrassing ways which can have significant, potentially long-term effects at work, at home and on self-esteem.
Another aggravating factor that may contribute towards stress levels at this time of year is the role of social media, which triggers one-upmanship during the holiday season. Platforms such as Facebook and Instagram fuel ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out), even in this COVID Christmas as people stage glamorous get-togethers within the home, or are in areas with more relaxed tier systems. Social media can also leave people feeling like failures for not having the best tree, decorations, presents or food.
All in all, the holiday season creates the ‘perfect storm’ of heightened physical, emotional, psychological and social stressors.
More information
If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Managing Festive Pressures’ it is being delivered live on Thursday 16th December at 12pm, please use the following link to register for this session –
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3683870147816138766
If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place or by going to your Lifestyle site to the COVID 19 section.
If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.
Please be aware that Care first is an external provider and the information in their webinars may not fully align with advice from the University on some subjects.