OHIO — More than ever before, many people are feeling stressed during the pandemic.
According to a survey from the American Psychological Association of 2,076 adults in January, the participants reported a stress level of 5.6 on a scale of 1-10, which is higher than surveys conducted in April 2020.
Among the majority of the participants, three main topics were causing the rise in stress: The future of the U.S., the coronavirus pandemic and political unrest.
“Nearly a year into the pandemic, prolonged stress persists at elevated levels for many Americans. As we work to address stressors as a nation, from unemployment to education, we can’t ignore the mental health consequences of this global shared experience,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer at the time of the survey. “Without addressing stress as part of a national recovery plan, we will be dealing with the mental health fallout from this pandemic for years to come.”
Dr. Hari Sharma, a medical doctor with more than 30 years of experience in holistic practice and a professor emeritus of the Ohio State University College of Medicine, sat down with Spectrum News 1 to share ways to relax and why it’s good for our overall health.
“What is going on nowadays is a constant fear of the unknown, chronic anxiety and ongoing fatigue,” Sharma said. “Mind and body are connected; when you have stress, it causes problems for the mind and it also causes problems for the body.”
Watch the full interview above for tips on how to practice relaxation in times of stress.
