Long COVID Self-Management - Managing Stress, Anxiety, and/or Low Mood
Recovering from COVID-19 can be hard. People have reported feeling stressed, anxious and their mood is poor. Some people end up with memories or dreams about the time they were most sick or in hospital. Others have had difficult thoughts or feelings related to their experience.
A person's mood may also be affected by a delay to returning to normal routine. These feelings can affect a person's ability to do their daily activities. That is why managing stress, anxiety and low mood are a main part of overall recovery.
Take care of Your Basic Needs
It is important to take care of your basic needs when under stress or recovering from illness. Here are some things you can do:
Get Quality Sleep
Your sleep may have been disturbed when you were sick, especially if in hospital. Stress and anxiety can also impact sleep. Visit the Sleep page for more information.
Eat Well
Healthy food choices and habits helps with your overall well-being.
Be Physically Active
This reduces stress and can lower the chance of depression. Take small steps to gradually and safely increase your physical activity.
Maintain or Increase Social Connection
Social connections are important for your mental well-being. Talking with others can help to reduce stress and may also help you in finding solutions for challenges in your recovery journey. If you are living alone, staying in contact with friends or family on the telephone or online can help you to feel less alone.
Relaxing Activities
Do relaxing activities. Ones that do not make you too tired (e.g., listening to music, reading, spiritual practices). Focus on your breathing. Visit the Mindfulness and Relaxation: Exercise and Activities page for relaxation exercises and activities.
Daily Activities or Hobbies
Gradually increase the amount of daily activities or hobbies you participate in, as this helps to improve your mood.
When to Ask for More Help
Anyone can reach out for help during any part of their recovery process, but certainly consider talking to a doctor or mental health practitioner if you have anxiety or mood symptoms that remain intense, even after several months, or if your psychological symptoms interfere with your ability to engage in other aspects of your life (e.g., working, parenting etc.). If you have thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else, or need immediate assistance, you can call 911, go to the nearest emergency department, call crisis line 211 or go to the website for more information by visiting Mental Health Services, Government of Saskatchewan.