Category: COVID-19

The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt all around the world, and social distancing measures have changed every aspect of our lives.

Who would’ve thought a trip to the supermarket would become our most anticipated weekly adventure?

For many, the coronavirus has disrupted the way we work. Some of us have enjoyed these changes. Others have struggled.

New research collected through the Relationships Australia monthly survey has revealed just how significantly recent workplace changes have impacted our mental health.

“This research reveals that people from all aspects of the Australian workforce are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 workplace restrictions and changes,” says Relationships Australia National Executive Officer, Nick Tebbey.

You might be surprised by how your fellow Aussies have been coping.

 

Most of us are feeling it

With COVID-19’s unfathomable impacts on life as we knew it, it’s no surprise so many respondents reported big changes at work.

A whopping 87% reported a significant change to their workplace since the start of COVID-19.

And because change can be tricky at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic, 63% of respondents agreed these workplace changes have impacted their mental health.

 

Those with previously good mental health have been hit harder

The study revealed that those who were living with poor mental health prior to the pandemic have experienced fewer changes to their mental health during the crisis than those who had good mental health.

Perhaps those with pre-existing mental health concerns had already acquired the skills to cope in uncertain or difficult situations, and certain mental illnesses may not be as impacted by situational stressors like the coronavirus.

 

We’re missing our workmates

Counting down the days until you can chat with Linda from accounting in the lunchroom again? Apparently a lot of Aussies are missing their colleagues thanks to COVID-19 disruptions.

“We are seeing that those who relied on their workplace for social stimulation are more affected by these changes,” states Nick.

The study found that respondents who considered their workplace as part of their social life were more likely to experience a change in their mental health as a result of recent changes to work.

75% of respondents who strongly agreed that their workplace was part of their social life experienced a change to their mental health, compared with only 35% of respondents who strongly disagreed that their workplace was part of their social life experiencing a change in their mental health.

Turns out those lunchroom chats could be doing more for some of us than just passing time (AKA procrastinating).

 

Every industry has been impacted

Different industries have seen different degrees of change to workplaces – but every industry has been hit in one way or another.

Between 74% and 98% of respondents across every industry reported ‘significant changes’ to their work since the coronavirus outbreak.

Employees reporting the greatest changes to mental health were in the arts and recreation (77% reporting changes) and education and training (73% reporting changes) industries.

The least impacted industries were financial and insurance services (55%) and information, media and telecommunications (58%).

Interestingly, industries with the highest rate of reported changes to their work reported the lowest rate of changes to their mental health.

 

Even minor workplace changes have changed our mental health

There was just a 1% difference in changes to mental health between those who had experienced significant changes at their workplace compared with those who hadn’t.

In both scenarios, 84-85% of respondents reported changes to their mental health as a result of recent shifts at their workplace.

This might imply that even small changes in the workplace can impact our mental health.

 

We’re here if you’re having a hard time coping or just need someone to talk to. Check out our specialised counselling services for more information.

Struggling to stay focused in your home office? You might find our 10 tips for working from home during COVID-19 helpful.

 

Interested to learn more about how coronavirus-related workplace changes have impacted our mental health? You can read the full study report here.

As restrictions are lifted and our freedom returns, some of us are surprised to find we’re not quite as excited for things to go back to ‘normal’ as we thought we’d be.

In fact, we’re feeling kind of anxious about life post-lockdown (and not just because we’ll need to wear shoes and sit in traffic again).

Maybe you’re concerned about your physical health. Maybe you’re worried about readjusting to a faster pace in your workplace. Or maybe you’re nervous about socialising after months of self-isolation.

Whatever your reasons for feeling nervous about society starting up again, it’s not unusual – and you’re not the only one.

We hope these tips help you ease back into life after lockdown.

 

Start Small and Take it Slow

Some people can’t wait to pour into pubs and kick-start their social calendars, but if that’s not you, that’s just fine. Give yourself time to get back to a life where you left the house and saw other humans.

Socialise slowly with just a few friends at a time. Visit quieter cafés and restaurants before hitting up the hot spots. Ask your employer if you can alternate days working from the office and from home.

We’ve been on lockdown for months, and it’s going to be a big adjustment to go back to normal life. So don’t feel pressured to jump right back into exactly how things were before.

 

Reflect on Your Experience

We’ve just been through a global pandemic, guys. Countries closed their borders, businesses and schools closed their doors, and visiting our friends and families was prohibited. Life as we knew it, and our plans for the year, were thrown out the window.

Instead of trying to slide straight back in your old life, allow yourself to reflect on this event. Talk to your friends and family about how it impacted you, what you found difficult, and any positives that came from it. Or write these things down in a journal to keep track of how you’re feeling.

 

Consider Your New Priorities

For some people, self-isolation was the catalyst for self-discovery. It forced us to pause and take stock of how we spent our time, energy, and money when things were ‘normal’.

Maybe you don’t miss the things you thought you would. Maybe you’d rather socialise in the outdoors than on a night out. Maybe you’ve realised how much you value alone time. Now’s the time to create new priorities and habits than align with the life you want to live moving forward.

 

Don’t Expect Everything to be ‘Normal’ Straight Away

There are plenty of ways things will remain different to how they were pre-coronavirus. We can probably expect queues, obsessive hand washing, and the 1.5m rule to follow us into the foreseeable future.

Stay vigilant and pay attention to health and safety advice. Follow the rules venues have in place for your safety, wash your hands regularly, and keep a safe distance from others when you’re out and about.

 

Talk About Your Fears

Literally everyone in the world has been impacted by this. If you’re feeling anxious or finding it hard to adapt to the latest lift in lockdown restrictions, chances are some of your friends, colleagues, family members, and neighbours are too.

The coronavirus is sure to be a key topic of conversation in many social circles for a while, and talking about your fears and concerns may help you understand and process things.

If you need some help coping, our tertiary-qualified counsellors can provide support. You can learn more about our confidential counselling options and how to book an appointment here.

Keep looking after yourself. Discover our tips to protect your emotional wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.