Stay-at-home stress? MU Health Care psychiatrist offers ways to reduce tension at home

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With a statewide stay-at-home order in place until April 24, families are spending more time together and some more time apart.

While that can be a good thing, it doesn’t come without its challenges.

“You know there's definitely tension and stress that can happen from being together 24/7 with the stay-at-home orders that we have. There's also stress that can occur because there's family and loved ones that we can't see,” said University of Missouri Health Care psychiatrist Dr. Laine Young-Walker. 

Young-Walker said the lack of time to yourself and time to do some of the social things you normally would is a root cause.

“The stress that happens when you're together all the time is that sometimes you don't have the ability to take as much time for yourself. You don't have the ability to go out and work out like you normally would have or to spend time with other couples or family, so those things do cause tension,” she said.

To alleviate some of the tension at home, Young-Walker said it’s important to establish a routine for some structure and to make sure everyone’s needs are being met.

“Try to create a routine within the family that's different now. You know, when are we going to get up in the morning when will we have homework time and now you have maybe a parent working remotely, and a child trying to do their schoolwork remotely so everyone is trying to use the internet at the same time, and that can create a challenge,” she said. “And setting up time where you can just have some family time together, and some away time. Everyone needs some time for self-care. Maybe this is the time that we as a family are going to eat dinner or play a game together, or work out together and this is the time that mom is going to just have some time to read a book.”

She also said it’s important to communicate across the board.

“There likely is a lot of anxiety in that entire household and being able to communicate about it is important,” she said, adding that making sure everyone’s concerns are heard can greatly reduce some of that anxiety.

Not every member of a family can be together during the stay-at-home order, but Young-Walker said she’s seen some creative solutions to help stay connected such as virtual game nights or dressing up to go pick up dinner.

“It’s important to try to take time to do some special things that will help to reground us, and reduce some of the anxiety that everybody has,” Young-Walker said.