Stress Around COVID-19 and the Impact on the Physical Body

We humans don’t really like uncertainty and instability. This is one of the reasons why we cling to what we know, often even when we are dissatisfied with it, or we know that it isn’t serving us. And right now there is tremendous uncertainty and instability. Coronavirus cases are spiking again as economic activity resumes, protesting and social unrest continues, and the United States especially has never been more divided. It seems like people are arguing and fighting over almost anything these days.

All of this uncertainty can take a toll on the physical body, especially when it’s for a sustained period of time at a low-grade level, like we are experiencing right now. By now most of us are familiar with the concept of fight or flight in the nervous system. This is part of the body’s self-protective mechanism. When we are in danger, whether actual or perceived, our muscles tense (among other physiological responses) to prepare for the action of fighting or running. This works extremely well when the danger is concrete and short-lived like a bear chasing us. We run or fight, and once clear of the danger, release that tension and allow the body to go back to its normal relaxed state. Problems arise when the danger is invisible and long-lasting like what is currently happening with COVID-19. We don’t get to release that low-grade fight or flight tension because we still perceive there is danger.

So when we feel fearful or unsettled for a long time, our bodies tense and subtly physically contract for a long period of time. And when it happens slowly and gradually, it can be very hard to realize just how long it has been going on and how much tension we have accumulated. Physically this can look various ways, depending on how a person is wired. The most common places to hold this tension are the neck and shoulders, their close neighbor the jaw, the belly/abdomen, the hips/pelvis, or the lower back. When it goes on for too long without a release, pain often arises.

This is one of the reasons so many people have had a flare-up of pain in their bodies during this pandemic. Releasing this tension, and the emotions of fear and uncertainty associated with it is key to keeping the body happy and pain-free. And it’s especially important that we keep ourselves healthy and strong during this time of intense change. If we get overwhelmed and knocked out by this wave of change, we won’t be able to contribute effectively to rebuilding things. Additionally when we are stressed for a long period of time, it lowers our immunity, which is not good during a pandemic.

Happily there are many ways to release this tension. Acupuncture is one of the most effective ways I know of to release these emotions and the tension they create in the body. Massage and body work is another really great one. (Sadly that option isn’t open to most of us right now as massage therapists haven’t been cleared to begin working again, at least where I live.) Exercise is another really great one. With people working from home or laid off, more and more people are taking time to exercise during this pandemic, which is one of the good things that has come from it. Meditation can also be very helpful, if you are able to slow down and tune into the physical body. If that’s challenging for you, a more active pursuit is probably better.

These are just some of the most common ways, you may have something else that works for you. Whatever it is, it’s essential to be taking care of the physical body during this time of stress. Even though the world appears to be in incredible chaos right now, I still feel optimistic about the future, and the more strong and healthy people there are during (and after) this time, the better the future will be.