The 2020 Verywell Mind Year in Review:

The year 2020 saw a rise in mental health issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased interest in topics like anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Our data analysis revealed the most-viewed articles and trending topics on Verywell Mind, shedding light on what our readers were seeking information about.

Anxiety Remedies:

• Anxiety-related articles gained popularity with the declaration of COVID as a pandemic and the subsequent national emergency.
• Fears of getting sick and financial concerns were prevalent, leading to interest in anxiety remedies.
• Benadryl as an anxiety remedy peaked in late March, suggesting a shift towards long-term anxiety management solutions.

Cabin Fever:

• Stay-at-home orders raised concerns about isolation, leading to interest in "cabin fever" and coping skills.
• Questions about the legitimacy of "cabin fever" and strategies for dealing with homebound stress and boredom were popular.

Coping With Loneliness:

• Loneliness was a prominent concern, peaking in April and November due to limited social interaction.
• Readers sought strategies for dealing with the emotional and mental toll of loneliness during the pandemic.

Starting a New Relationship During the Pandemic:

• Singles explored creative ways to date during the pandemic, leading to interest in dating over video calls and forming new relationships despite social distancing.

Words of Affirmation in Your Relationship:

• The strain on relationships during the pandemic spurred interest in relationship content, particularly love languages and words of affirmation.
• Couples sought strategies to improve communication and strengthen their bonds.

Depression Symptoms:

• Increased interest in depression-related content was observed, with a surge in articles about symptoms and coping strategies in late May.
• The stress of the pandemic exacerbated existing mental health conditions and led to new cases.

Lack of Motivation:

• Extended periods of working from home or unemployment resulted in decreased motivation.
• Content related to lack of motivation peaked in late May, corresponding with the rise in mental health concerns.

Guided Meditations:

• Readers turned to meditation as a self-care staple amid the pandemic. Guided meditations saw a spike in July as restrictions eased but COVID cases surged.

Gender Terminology:

• Interest in gender terminology, including "nonbinary," increased, reflecting the nation's evolving perspective on gender.

Race and Ethnicity Terms:

• The Black Lives Matter movement and ongoing protests prompted interest in race and ethnicity terms. Readers sought factual information to understand the tensions.

A Word from Verywell:

The year 2020 brought immense challenges, and many turned to Verywell Mind for guidance on mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic. We provided coping mechanisms and information to help navigate these challenges. While we hope for a less stressful 2021, we also hope the decreased stigma and healthy coping skills learned this year will continue to be valued and practiced.