If the last 18 months have left you feeling more fearful, anxious, hopeless, or depressed, you’re not alone. Between a global pandemic, social unrest, extensive job loss, a dwindling economy, and more Zoom meetings than we could count, the past year and a half has been—let’s be honest—lousy.
Even as widespread vaccinations signal a turning point in the deadly coronavirus pandemic, its impacts are far from over, says the American Psychological Association (APA). “We’ve been concerned throughout this pandemic about the level of prolonged stress—exacerbated by the grief, trauma, and isolation—that Americans are experiencing,” says Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer. The APA’s latest poll shows the impact of this stress: 67 percent of US adults reported unwanted changes in sleeping habits since the pandemic hit, while nearly a quarter said they’re drinking more alcohol than ever to cope with stress.