Whether you are working at home or on campus, the COVID-19 pandemic has required us to make significant changes to our daily routine. These changes may cause strong emotions and at times it can feel overwhelming, leading to burnout. How you cope with these emotions and stress can affect your well-being, the well-being of the people you care about, and your time at work.
During this pandemic, it is critical to recognize what stress looks like, take steps to build resilience and manage job stress, and know where to go if you need help.
Recognize Symptoms:
- Feeling irritation, anger, or in denial
- Feeling uncertain, nervous, or anxious
- Lacking motivation
- Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or burned out
- Having trouble sleeping
Know the common work-related factors that can add to stress during a pandemic:
- Concern about the risk of being exposed to the virus at work
- Taking care of personal and family needs while working
- Managing a different workload
- Feelings that you are not contributing enough to work or guilt about not being on the frontline
- Adapting to a different workspace and/or work schedule
Follow These Tips to Build Resilience and Manage Stress
- Communicate with your coworkers, supervisors, and employees about job stress while maintaining social distancing (at least 6 feet).
- Identify things that cause stress and work together to identify solutions.
- Ask about how to access mental health resources in your workplace.
- Identify those things which you do not have control over and do the best you can with the resources available to you.
- Take breaks from work to stretch, exercise, or check in with your supportive colleagues, coworkers, family, and friends.
Resources are Available to Help
- Wellbeing Hotline
- 1-866-522-8509
- resourcesforliving.com
- Username: GW-Wellbeing | Password: Yourlife
- National Suicide Prevention icon
- Toll-free number 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- National Domestic Violence
- Call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
- Do things you enjoy during non-work hours.
Know the facts about COVID-19. Be informed about how to protect yourself and others. Understanding the risk and sharing accurate information with people you care about can reduce stress and help you make a connection with others.
