Many Canadians feeling anxious, tired due to pandemic: survey

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Published April 15, 2020 at 11:41 pm

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Has the pandemic caused you to feel anxious or tired over the last month? If you answered ‘yes’ you’re not alone.

According to research from Decision Partners, the majority of people described themselves as feeling anxious during the first two weeks of the pandemic–March 24 to April 5–while most people described themselves as feeling tired the week of April 6 to April 12.

“People everywhere are struggling to understand and cope with the practical, psychological and emotional effects of social distancing, self-isolation, symptom monitoring and general uncertainty. Through our survey, we’re gaining insight into changes in how people are faring from week to week and the things that they are doing to cope,” Sarah Thorne, President and CEO of Decision Partners, said in a news release.

The Mississauga-based behavioural research and management consulting firm started the survey as a way to gauge how people are dealing with the pandemic, as well as allow them to identify and work through these feelings.

Several people are telling us that the act of completing the survey questions each week–in itself–has been therapeutic because it helps them reflect on and articulate their feelings and how they’re coping, and by doing so, they feel more resilient,” Thorne said.

According to the findings, many people believe the pandemic is something they’re going to be dealing with for a long time.

Additionally, as weeks pass withouth much change, many people have said they’re feeling tired, and their ability to stay positive is dwindling compared to earlier weeks.

Moreover, many people want to know what the Government is going to do to help get people through this, and how they’ll get people back to work once it’s over.

“Evidence-based behavioural insights can help leaders and public health officials make policy and design appropriate risk communications to help people through the transition. We hope that our research provides insight that helps their decision-making processes,” Thorne added.

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