Everyone is worried about the COVID-19 pandemic, and with good cause—The New York Times reports that at the time of this article, over 1.5 million cases have been confirmed and nearly 100 thousand people have died of complications of the disease. It is crucial for your own health and for the health of others that you follow WHO and CDC guidelines and stay inside and maintain social distancing guidelines. Millions of Americans are adjusting to this new way of life, and, as can be expected when forced to stay inside, many are bored. Vents from celebrities and everyone alike have circulated around the internet, with many writing lists and compiling fun activities to help pass the time.
Even as people stay inside, they face another giant: fear of the future. Puzzles, crafts and workouts, though fun, cannot draw away the gnawing anxiety of more than 10 million Americans who have filed for unemployment since President Trump declared a national state of emergency in March. With the shut-down of nonessential businesses leaving so many out of work for an unknown amount of time, as well as figuring out how to suddenly homeschool children, adults are seeing levels of stress at a record high.
Raising awareness about unhealthy coping mechanisms is crucial right now. Though many people are self-isolating in the same houses as their family members or roommates, some people that live alone don’t have the luxury of being so distracted. Because of that, they are turning to other ways to relieve stress—there very well may be an uptick in alcohol and smoking-related deaths after this outbreak. Healthy ways to relieve stress can include going for a jog, spending time with family or going out with friends. However, in today’s quarantined society, none of those are viable options. Now more people than ever could be turning to more deadly ways to relieve stress, particularly smoking and binge-drinking.
The warnings against both have been drilled into our heads by the education system since we were children, but sometimes people just need an escape. And when you can’t have a literal physical escape, you turn to a mental one.
Those who just want to curl up and wait for the virus out tend to turn to binge-drinking. Though consumed at parties to rile up a crowd, alcohol is actually a depressant, which means it “slow down brain functioning and neural activity,” says the Addiction Center. Studies also have found that, though you crack open that beer for relaxation at night, its natural properties can increase anxiety and stress.
Forewarning: alcohol, if you choose to partake, is fine when consumed with moderation and with good judgement. This article is not meant as a judgement, but more of a warning; try not to drink alone, never binge-drink and never, ever get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence.
Now, smoking kills. We’ve all seen that. We’ve read the labels on a pack of cigarettes and seen the lung diagrams in medical offices. We know that it can lead to heart disease and cancer to yourself and even to those around you. It is one of the most common, and most deadly, stress relievers with addictive properties, with some jobs even allowing employee smoke breaks. The stress of this pandemic is enough to urge you to light up a few more than usual.
So while you are listening to doctors and self-isolating for the next little while, try to do something to relieve that stress while keeping yourself and others safe. Try to stay away from alcohol and smoking, as they weaken your immune system and put you at increased risk. Read a book or learn something new about your family. Take in the sunlight and thank God for another day. I think we all need something to be thankful for right now.
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