The APA has been tracking Stress in America through the Pandemic…and the Numbers are in
The APA has been tracking Stress in America through the Pandemic…and the Numbers are in
By James E. Foster, Jr., MA, LMFT
It won’t surprise any of you to read that stress levels have increased in the last year. The COVID Pandemic brought about so many changes in our lives that it would be unthinkable for it not to have affected our mental health. Illness, death, restrictions, job change (and loss), remote schooling, isolation, and endless political bickering over where to lay blame are just a few of the factors affecting our mood stability on an hour-to-hour, minute-to-minute basis.
The American Psychological Association has a series called “Stress in America,” and of course the 2021 installment focuses on the effects of the pandemic. Here are a few of the highlights of the Harris Poll conducted for the APA (click the link below to read the full article):
- A majority of adults (61%) reported experiencing undesired weight changes since the start of the pandemic, with more than 2 in 5 (42%) saying they gained more weight than they intended. Of this group, adults reported gaining an average of 29 pounds (with a typical gain of 15 pounds, which is the median).
- Two in 3 Americans (67%) said they are sleeping more or less than they wanted to since the pandemic started. Similar proportions reported less (35%) and more (31%) sleep than desired.
- Nearly 1 in 4 adults (23%) reported drinking more alcohol to cope with their stress during the coronavirus pandemic. This proportion jumps to more than half of adults (52%) who are parents with early elementary school-age children (5-7 years old).
- Nearly half of parents (48%) said the level of stress in their life has increased compared with before the pandemic. More than 3 in 5 parents with children who are still home for remote learning (62%) said the same.
At Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health, we can see the effects that this is having on the minds and bodies of our patients. Our multidisciplinary weight management program participants frequently site the pandemic as a major factor in unwanted weight gain and difficulty finding ways to lose it. Increased stress is certainly a factor for many new patients seeking relief from Dr. Troy and Dr. Nathanson, and NP Liz Moon, reporting stomach, intestinal, and esophageal discomfort that “just started up” or “has clearly gotten worse” since April of last year. Many of my patients note the uptick in alcohol consumption that has accompanied rising anxiety and stress over the last year.
While the numbers paint a rather distressing picture, there are some positives that arose from the pandemic that have made it easier for you to get the help you need. Insurance companies covering televisits has made access to exceptional care much more realistic for everyone from the safety of their own homes. CGH has been engaging in telehealth since our inception and we are thrilled at the amount of people we can serve. People working remotely now have the ability to schedule and attend appointments in less than an hour that otherwise may have taken half a day with commutes. We are here for you for both online and in-person visits, so if you’re feeling the effects of the pandemic in body, mind, or both, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Check out the Stress in America 2021 feature from the APA here:
American Psychological Association: One year later, a new wave of pandemic health concerns
Jed is a licensed psychotherapist that continues to be both amazed by and drawn to the mind-body connection. Check in on his blogs and video logs for news, information, tips, and commentary on topics related to – but not limited to – the mind-gut connection, behavioral therapy, gut-directed hypnotherapy, weight management, positive psychology, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, overall well-being, and anything else he feels patients will benefit from learning. Jed is actively accepting new patients. Call 224.407.4400 today and begin your journey to better health and enhanced overall well-being.