Prioritizing Mental Health in a Post-Pandemic World

This past year has, in many ways, been challenging. As the covid pandemic has raged on, it revealed critical weaknesses in our health infrastructure, particularly in the area of mental wellness. Physical health issues often get the lion’s share of attention, but our mental wellness can significantly affect our overall wellbeing, even increasing the risk of certain health problems.

Mental Health: The Difficulties and Challenges of 2021

When covid arrived on the scene in late 2019, few of us realized exactly how much it had the potential to upend our lives. It rapidly devolved into a worldwide health emergency as the virus triggered lockdowns, social distancing, isolation, and widespread unemployment. As it continued to spread largely unchecked, it left fear, panic, and economic devastation in its wake. Some of the hardest-hit countries experienced a sharp increase in anxiety, depression, and emotional upheaval.

Worsening Mental Health Symptoms

Previous experience with public trauma reveals that our mental and emotional health could be profoundly disrupted by the pandemic. Those with existing mental disorders might suffer worsening symptoms, and the increased stress and isolation may trigger new depression and anxiety disorders in previously healthy people.

Gaps in the Mental Health Infrastructure

Worse, these struggles could be compounded by rising mental care costs, inaccessible care, a shortage of mental care providers, and stigma towards poor mental health. These issues can all keep people from getting timely or appropriate care.

More Stress from Work Disruption

Mental wellness is not the only challenge that has arisen during the pandemic. Work has also brought challenges. During the pandemic, many people switched to remote work, which made it harder to unplug, while service workers found themselves working long, stressful shifts. As our workplaces continue to evolve, we try to stay abreast of the changes the pandemic has brought while meeting our needs

Unfortunately, for many employees, there is a perceived distinct lack of support from management, which can increase both workplace stress and the stress we face at home. To combat that stress, we need a balanced, positive approach that marries corporate wellness with appropriate self-care.

Opportunities for Growth and Development Paving the Way Forward

While the previous year has brought many challenges and difficulties, it has not been all bad. In fact, the pressures of the year have brought us many new opportunities for growth and development.

The Rise of Telehealth

In particular, the health industry has made great strides, with some of our most innovative thinkers bringing us profound new ways to improve our health through a variety of versatile tools, including:

• Telemedicine
• Digital mental health apps
• New health and wellness workforce models
• Digital training and research tools
• Telehealth for mental wellness
• Predictive analytics to guide mental wellness policy
• Digital hypnotherapy apps

Increased Support from Non-Profits

Non-profits have similarly had their time in the sun, with charitable giving in 2020 reaching an incredible high of more than $470 billion. In 2021, these funds were used to stop hunger, provide personal protective equipment, combat poverty, support first responders, rebuild lives, and transform the world.

The Rise of Online Education

Educators have made great strides, too. Some countries brought children home to learn remotely while others kept kids in the classrooms but with extensive safety measures. Educators found new and innovative ways to teach kids while schools put more of an emphasis on balancing the “three Rs” with mental wellbeing and resilience.

Some states and schools began offering lessons in self-care and mental wellness days, giving children the tools they need to develop better emotional regulation and a healthier sense of balance in their lives.

New Approaches, New Priorities, New Hopes

According to the World Economic Forum, the number of U.S. adults suffering from depression or anxiety skyrocketed during the pandemic. In France, depression rates have doubled. Other countries are likely suffering under similar burdens. As vaccines are becoming increasingly available, more people are moving freely again, but that does not necessarily mean we are breathing freely.

Many of us are scarred and scared, and mental healthcare must remain a global priority as we attempt to return to a post-pandemic “new normal.”

More Disruption in Healthcare

With the dawn of 2022, we expect to see continued disruption in the healthcare industry, bringing more digitization and more options for consumers. New mobile mental health apps, such as digital hypnotherapy, can provide tools to manage specific issues, such as stress and sleep hygiene.

Some apps are even designed to track symptoms, movements, changes in behavior, and patterns, which can identify specific health issues or concerns. Apps can also be designed to connect users with peers or healthcare providers for more targeted support, making it easier and more private than ever before to get necessary care.

This type of care is likely to become even more important as we return to the office, school, and normal travel and open our borders again. Emerging from the life-altering changes of the pandemic, these changes can feel unnerving. With self-care and access to the right tools, you can manage your stress, fear, and anxiety and embrace your new life.

Better Corporate Wellness Programs

Corporate wellness programs can play a critical role in the return to normal, too. Some research indicates that conventional corporate wellness programs might not be as effective in some areas, specifically in terms of high blood pressure or weight control. That does not mean these programs are ineffective overall, however.

A well-designed corporate wellness program that addresses multiple aspects of wellness can support employee happiness. The best wellness programs should address all aspects of wellbeing, including:

• Mental and emotional wellbeing
• Social wellbeing
• Professional wellbeing
• Financial wellbeing
• Physical wellbeing

Self-Care: no longer a luxury but a must-have

Your self-care routine can also play a role in your overall well-being. With self-care, you can take ownership of your mental health and manage your stress, alleviate your anxiety, and free your mind. UpNow’s digital hypnotherapy app makes it easy to care for your mental and emotional wellness without adding to your to-do list or creating any more stress in your life.

Visit UpNow.com to learn more about how hypnotherapy can help you manage your anxiety and stress and overcome depression or to download our app.