Many Canadians turning to self-care options during pandemic
Published July 20, 2020 at 10:44 pm
Many Canadians have taken to self-care treatment options during the uncertainties caused by the pandemic.
A recent study from Consumer Health Products Canada found that self-care, which is an individual’s ability to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider, has become a popular option for Canadians otherwise unable to seek treatment.
According to the findings, nearly half of respondents have missed an in-person doctor’s appointment due to the pandemic.
Of those, more than 66 per cent practiced a range of self-care activities—12 per cent of respondents took care of the problem themselves, another 53 per cent used virtual care services, and seven per cent sought a pharmacist’s advice.
Additionally, more than half of those who managed their health conditions themselves were satisfied with the results.
Further, more than half of those who sought virtual care would continue to do so even after the pandemic ends.
Videos
As a result, more than 50 per cent of Canadians are interested in finding ways to practice self-care at home.
The survey also found the overwhelming majority—96 per cent—find their life much different than it was before the pandemic.
Some of these differences have been good—90 per cent of Canadians say they wash their hands more now compared to before the pandemic—while many have been bad: 34 per cent of Canadians say their mental health has worsened during the pandemic, 37 per cent say they are exercising less, 34 per cent said they are eating more, and 25 per cent of those who either smoke or drink are doing so more since March.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising