Lingering Shadows: How Pandemic-Era Habits Are Reshaping Mental Health TodayThe lockdowns ended. The masks came off. But some of the habits we picked up during COVID-19 never left.
For many, constant connectivity, late-night scrolling, and working from the same couch where they relax became the “new normal.” For others, teletherapy, virtual support groups, and more open conversations about mental health were game changers.
In 2025, these lingering pandemic-era habits are still influencing our well-being — sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Understanding which to keep and which to break is the first step toward a healthier post-pandemic life.
Habits worth keeping
- Telehealth as a permanent option: Increases access for rural, disabled, or time-limited patients.
- Normalizing mental health talk: Pandemic stress made mental health discussions more acceptable at work, school, and home.
- Virtual peer support: Online groups and forums remain lifelines for people with rare conditions or limited local resources
Habits to reconsider
- Always-on availability: The remote work boom blurred boundaries, making burnout more likely.
- Excessive screen time: Leisure screen use skyrocketed during lockdowns and stayed high.
- Late-night device use: Sleep schedules were disrupted and, for many, never recovered — a risk factor for mood disorders and psychosis.
- Social avoidance: Some people still default to online interactions even when in-person options are available
Habits to reconsider the Mental health impact in 2025
- Anxiety and depression: Elevated baseline stress and digital overload keep symptoms high for many.
- Psychosis risk: For vulnerable individuals, heavy screen time, disrupted sleep, and social isolation remain contributing factors.
- Youth development: Adolescents who came of age during the pandemic may have lasting differences in social skills and coping strategies
Steps toward balance
- Digital boundary setting: Scheduled screen breaks, no-device zones, and defined work hours.
- Sleep hygiene: Consistent bedtimes, no screens before bed, and blue light filters.
- Hybrid social life: Intentional mix of in-person and online interactions.
- Routine check-ins: Mental health self-assessments or therapy sessions to monitor lingering stress patterns.
The takeaway
Pandemic-era habits are still shaping mental health in 2025. The challenge isn’t to return to pre-pandemic life — it’s to keep the innovations that help and let go of the patterns that harm.
References (APA)
- World Health Organization. (2022). COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide
- Ammar, A., et al. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on eating behavior and physical activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 international online survey. Nutrients, 12(6), 1583. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061583
- Wiederhold, B. K. (2020). Connecting through technology during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Avoiding “Zoom fatigue.” Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 23(7), 437–438. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2020.29188.bkw
About the Author
Written byKevin Caridad, PhD, CEO of Cognitive Behavior Institute and CBI Center for Education.
For speaking, training, or consultation: KevinCaridad@the-cbi.com
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