After nearly a year of disrupted plans and social distance, the current routine can still feel unsettled.
"Most of us did not anticipate that this heightened period of stress would be going on for 10 months and even longer in the future," said Terrie Moffitt, Nannerl O. Keohane University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. "And there is still some uncertainty about when we will get out of this predicament."
And at this time of year – during the winter and after the holidays – there's typically a bit of a flat period, Moffitt added, once the celebrations are done and we return to school and to work. The days are short and cold, which also means people likely are not getting enough sunlight to strengthen the immune system and boost mood.
"We should all recognize that as a period of high risk for feeling depressed and anxious – for everyone," Moffitt said. "Understand that this is temporary. Winter does go away, and spring will come."
Here are some suggestions to help stay healthy and safe in the coming months.
Find Control Where You Can
Because the pandemic is lasting longer than our expectations, this can make self-care difficult.
"People are very good at changing behaviors in the short term, but maintaining those changes week after week and month after month is where the challenge comes in," said Kyle Bourassa, a clinical psychology researcher and a postdoctoral scholar at Duke's Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.
His research examines how changes in behavior might improve health among people who experience stressful events. Part of his training also focuses on values – individual beliefs about what's important.
"We should remind ourselves why we're wearing a mask or distancing from people we hope to keep safe," Bourassa said. "We're not doing this just because we were told we have to, but because we choose to in order to protect those around us."
It's also good to be intentional about socializing, relaxation and exercise, he said, especially in this time period when it's harder to get outside.
"One thing I like to emphasize is that we often cannot change how we feel," Bourassa said. "But we can change how we behave and what we choose to do every day."
The more that people can be self-aware and pay attention to their own habits, the better, Bourassa added.
"If you're struggling, there are resources available to support you," Bourassa said.
