Table 2.
Activities, including individual strategies, reported by participants to relieve stress.
| Activity | Strategies | Before pandemic N(%) |
During pandemic N(%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecting with others | 101 (48.6) | 102 (48.3) | |
| Talking to husband/partner | 35 (16.8) | 44 (20.9) | |
| Talk to family | 36 (17.3) | 38 (18.0) | |
| Talk to friends | 41 (19.7) | 29 (13.7) | |
| Talk to someone (unspecified) | 17 (8.2) | 22 (10.4) | |
| Time with children | 6 (2.9) | 1 (0.5) | |
| Time with pets | 7 (3.4) | 2 (0.9) | |
| Exercise | 117 (56.3) | 86 (40.8) | |
| Walking | 91 (43.8) | 71 (33.6) | |
| Yoga | 16 (7.7) | 15 (7.1) | |
| Exercise (unspecified) | 10 (4.8) | 5 (2.4) | |
| Swimming | 10 (4.8) | 2 (0.9) | |
| Running | 4 (1.9) | 1 (0.4) | |
| Cycling | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Dance | – | 1 (0.5) | |
| Pilates | – | 2 (0.9) | |
| Hiking | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Kayaking | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Stretching | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Entertainment | 47 (22.6) | 25 (11.8) | |
| Music | 16 (7.7) | 7 (3.3) | |
| Television | 16 (7.7) | 9 (4.3) | |
| Reading | 24 (11.5) | 12 (5.7) | |
| Podcast | 1 (0.5) | 2 (0.9) | |
| Social media | – | 3 (1.4) | |
| Rest and relaxation | 43 (20.7) | 40 (19.0) | |
| Relax | 11 (5.3) | 18 (8.5) | |
| Time out | 6 (2.9) | 2 (0.9) | |
| Isolate | – | 2 (0.9) | |
| Sleep | 9 (4.3) | 11 (5.2) | |
| Nap | 7 (3.4) | 9 (4.3) | |
| Bathing | 12 (5.8%) | 8 (3.8) | |
| Complementary and alternative therapies | 42 (20.2) | 31 (14.7) | |
| Breathing techniques | 13 (6.3) | 7 (3.3) | |
| Meditation | 19 (9.1) | 19 (9.0) | |
| Mindfulness | 9 (4.3) | 2 (0.9) | |
| Hypnobirthing | – | 5 (2.4) | |
| Therapy | – | 2 (0.9) | |
| Acupuncture | 2 (1.0) | – | |
| Reflexology | 1 (0.5) | 1 (0.5) | |
| Massage | 3 (1.4) | – | |
| Connecting with nature | 8 (3.8) | 4 (1.9) | |
| Gardening | 2 (1.0) | – | |
| Outdoors | 6 (2.9) | 4 (1.9) | |
| Home activities | 6 (2.9) | 2 (0.9) | |
| Baking | 2 (1.0) | – | |
| Cleaning | 4 (1.9) | 2 (0.9) | |
| Hobbies | 4 (1.9) | 1 (0.5) | |
| Journaling | – | 1 (0.5) | |
| Knitting | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Draw | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Paint | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Puzzles and word searches | 2 (1.0) | – | |
| Organisation | 4 (1.9) | 5 (2.4) | |
| Plan | 4 (1.9) | 2 (0.9) | |
| Learn/research | – | 2 (0.9) | |
| Prepare for baby’s arrival | – | 1 (0.5) | |
| Emotional expression | 2 (1.0) | 9 (4.3) | |
| Cry | 1 (0.5) | 9 (4.3) | |
| Laugh | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Food and drinks | 3 (1.5) | 8 (3.8) | |
| Drink tea | 1 (0.5) | 3 (1.4) | |
| Drink water | 2 (1.0) | – | |
| Eat | – | 5 (2.1) | |
| Other | 7 (3.4) | 6 (2.8) | |
| Shop | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Keep busy | 1 (0.5) | 1 (0.5) | |
| Distracting activity | 1 (0.9) | ||
| Drive | 3 (1.4) | 3 (1.4) | |
| Pray | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Smoke | 1 (0.5) | – | |
| Work | – | 1 (0.5) | |
| Face mask | – | 1 (0.5) | |
| Help with childcare | – | 1 (0.5) |
Note: Strategies are not mutually exclusive and therefore percentages are greater than those reported within the activity category.