Category: COVID-19

Has the coronavirus outbreak impacted your mood? How about your physical health, or how often you drink alcohol?

New research has found that self-isolation and restrictions related to COVID-19 have changed a lot for Australians’ lives.

Many of us have experienced feelings of anxiety and loneliness since the outbreak. Some have enjoyed the slower pace of life. And some want to continue social distancing when this is all over.

The coronavirus has impacted us all in one way or another. These survey findings reveal just how drastically our feelings, behaviours, and relationships have changed over recent months.

 

We’re anxious and lonely

A fear for our physical safety and directions to self-isolate are a recipe for anxiety and loneliness.

Over 55% of respondents reported increased feelings of anxiety or nervousness since COVID-19, while 45% of respondents reported increased loneliness.

Over 48% reported an increase in feelings of depression or low mood, and over a third (34%) reported poorer mental health overall. 7% reported an improvement in mental health, and 41% reported no change to their mental health during the outbreak.

Reported concerns varied from health and social to economic and financial.

“My anxieties are about the long-term impact of the pandemic economically and politically as well as worries about family overseas,” one respondent elaborated.

“I live alone and have been working from home for 5 weeks. I’m lonely and sad but feel guilty for being upset because I still have a job and nothing is “wrong”,” explained another.

 

We’re drinking more

Have you found yourself reaching for your favourite drop a little more often than usual? You wouldn’t be the only one.

Almost a third of respondents (28%) reported an increase in drug or alcohol consumption since COVID-19, while 37% reported no changes. 9% reported a decrease in drug and alcohol consumption, which could be due to the closure of bars and pubs.

When asked about physical health in general, 29% reported an increase in poor physical health, while 18% reported a decrease, and 43% reported no change.

 

We’re calling instead of texting

Technology has saved the day for friends and family separated by social distancing measures. But you might be surprised to see the stats on our most-used communication methods.

Phone calls (59%) and video chats (57%) have been the most popular ways to stay in touch from a distance, while texting and smartphone apps (e.g. What’sApp and Facebook Messenger) came in at 38%.

Who would’ve thought we’d get so comfortable with video conferencing?

“FaceTime has been a blessing but not nearly the same as seeing our grandchildren in person,” commented a respondent.

But even with all these forms of communication at our fingertips, some of us are choosing to isolate ourselves during this tough time. The survey showed 7% of people aren’t staying in touch at all.

“I’m withdrawing. Communicating through media is draining,” a respondent stated.

 

We’re enjoying activities at home together

It’s not all doom and gloom. Many of us have been making the most of our time holed up at home with our loved ones (except for the 22% of survey respondents who reported that they live alone).

35% of respondents have enjoyed engaging in activities with their partners or family members, such as cooking, gardening, doing puzzles, and watching movies.

18% reported exercising with their family members, mostly in the form of daily walks or playing outside with the kids.

For some households, a bit of alone time has helped them get through.

18% reported that giving each other space and partaking in independent activities was working well for their family.

 

We’re not ready to give up the slower pace

The coronavirus giveth, and the coronavirus taketh away. Some of us have adapted to the lifestyle changes COVID-19 has forced on us, and we don’t want to give those up when things go back to ‘normal’.

When asked what they’d like to keep doing, most respondents (30%) agreed they wanted to maintain the slower pace brought on by the pandemic. 17% said they wanted to continue with the increased exercise they’d been engaging in during COVID-19, and another 17% said they’d like to continue enjoying more recreational activities.

While the coronavirus had us physically distancing, it helped bring many of us together in other ways. 15% of respondents reported wanting the increased compassion, relating, and connecting to continue.

“The level of connection and intimacy grown during this time is wonderful. I hope to keep it,” one respondent commented.

14% of respondents agreed they wanted to continue working from home, with reduced commuting and increased flexibility being the most common reasons.

 

If you’re having a hard time at the moment, we’re here to offer some extra support. Discover our counselling services for individuals, couples, and families.

You can read the full survey report here.

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.