INSIGHTS
health • nutrition • fitness • life • mind “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” ~Mark Twain
HOW DO YOU FEEL? THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC. BY YASMIN MISSAGHIAN
While it’s discouraging to know so many Canadians are feeling down, National CEO of CMHA Margaret Eaton says, “It’s a sign of good mental health when someone can experience a full range of emotions, and recognize, understand and manage how they feel—even when it’s uncomfortable. Being able to make an emotional connection is also part of how we seek comfort and reassurance from people in our lives.” Having these emotions can actually help us connect with others and empathize with loved ones. Furthermore, being able to recognize and name our emotions can help us feel calmer and understand what we are going through. “Good mental health is not about being happy all the time but having appropriate emotional and behavioural responses to stressors and life events,” says UBC lead researcher Emily Jenkins. 8 THE ART OF LIVING WELL
“Sharing our very normal feelings of sadness, fear and worry is particularly important during this unusual time of stress, uncertainty and loss.” However, it is important to recognize when thoughts and emotions become cause for concern. “It’s time to seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed for prolonged periods of time or have persistent feelings of worry, anger or despair,” says Anne Gadermann, co-lead researcher.
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t’s been over a year of the pandemic, lockdowns and isolation, and it’s taking a toll on Canadians. According to studies done by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in partnership with UBC researchers, 77% of adults are feeling negative emotions due to the pandemic. The five most common emotions reported were worried or anxious, bored, stressed, sad, and lonely or isolated.
