Covid-19 coronavirus: Counsellor Julie Bird says stress, anxiety rising

Counsellor Julie Bird says people are feeling trapped and stressed due to the current travel restrictions.

Stress and anxiety are on the rise. And the blame can be laid squarely on coronavirus.

Counsellor Julie Bird says she is finding a lot more people are feeling stressed because they feel trapped. Having just moved to Nelson from Auckland, Julie lived in Taupō from 2000 to 2016 and had a successful private practice as a psychotherapist, counsellor, and clinical supervisor. Julie is also the staff counsellor for NZME, which owns the Taupō & Tūrangi Weekender.

At the moment Julie says she is getting calls from people all around New Zealand.

"I am finding a lot more people are feeling stressed because they feel trapped. Particularly if they have relations overseas who are medically unwell," says Julie.

She says communication is not the problem, as lots of people talk via a remote medium or over social media.

"It's knowing you can't go to them [loved ones]. The impact on family connections from the isolation is huge, and causing a lot of anxiety and stress."

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Julie says people are out of their routines and panicking.

"To avoid panic, you need to put plans in place. You need to start thinking a little bit strategically, ask yourself the question 'how will this play out for me?"

She says it can be helpful to learn some skill and strategies for dealing with stress.

"Some people are quite blase about engaging with self-help as a topic.

"If you can understand exactly what the anxiety is about, then you can put some self care in place."

• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website