Five signs COVID is taking a toll...even if you're virus-free
You’ve followed all the COVID-19 guidelines. Social distancing, limited in-person contact, masks, and sanitizing are now a regular part of life. Maybe you’ve even tested negative for COVID-19, or received the vaccine, but you still feel like something’s not right. Sound familiar?
A new report published by the American Psychological Association shows that COVID culture may be taking a toll on your health in more ways than one, including:
- Weight gain. 61% of adults tipped the scale in the wrong direction over the past year. If you’ve gained 15 to 29 pounds during the pandemic, you’re not alone.
- Poor sleep. 67% of adults have experienced trouble sleeping during COVID-19. This includes sleeping too much (more than 9 hours) or not enough (less than 7 hours).
- Lack of health care. If you’ve been avoiding the doctor because you’re worried about exposure to COVID-19, you’re not alone. An estimated 47% of adults have delayed or canceled needed health care.
- Increased stress. If you’re a parent with kids who made the switch to online learning, you know it hasn’t been easy. About 67% of adults with school-age kids said their stress levels have increased during the pandemic.
- Increased use of alcohol. When some people get stressed out, alcohol can become an unhealthy way to cope. Researchers found that alcohol use has increased 23% during the pandemic.
If COVID culture has taken a toll on your health, now is always a good time to make a change.
Keep it simple. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Be active. Manage stress in healthy ways. Improve your sleep habits. And ask for help if you need it.
Don’t let your health suffer. Make an appointment with your health care provider.