COVID-19 Pandemic Fatigue And The Ways To Help You Survive

photo credits: web.musc.com

After the destruction brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s just normal to feel burned out at this point in time. We’ve been living with the Novel Corona Virus for several months, and the virus infections are still rapidly spreading in many areas around our country. As the confirmed cases are continuously increasing, it’s understandable that many people are getting tired of taking coronavirus precautions. First, what is Pandemic Fatigue?

Pandemic fatigue describes the feeling of exhaustion and burn-out we’ve reached after months of having our lives turned upside down by the virus. When the pandemic first unfolded, we assumed the disruptions to our lives were temporary. But what happens when there’s no clear finish line? How do we get our footing when we’re faced with a constant barrage of changes that don’t let up? This sense of uncertainty and powerlessness can lead to fatigue. Being exposed to chronic stress and unpredictability can deplete us of the emotional resources we need to cope with. (mankatoclinic.com)

Below are the Signs of Pandemic Fatigue and the Ways How to Cope with it according to connect.uclahealth.org

The hallmark sign of pandemic fatigue is a sense of inner weariness. You may also feel:

  • Helpless
  • Sad
  • Worried
  • Frustrated
  • Irritable

You may notice that you:

  • Eat or sleep more or less than usual
  • Have trouble focusing (brain fog)
  • Feel edgy or nervous
  • Snap at or argue with others
  • Lack of motivation
  • Are unable to stop racing thoughts
  • Withdraw from others

HEALTHY WAYS TO COPE

#1: Take care of your body – When you’re wrapped up in what’s going on in the world and at home, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep (at least seven hours a night) and maintaining a nutritious diet. Though it may be difficult to drum up the motivation, exercising every day is important too. Doing these things will boost your energy, lift your mood, and strengthen your immune system.

#2: Limit your news intake – It’s good to stay up to date on the latest coronavirus information. But too much news can overload you with negative emotions and zap your energy. Take a break from the news for a day or two and see if you feel better.

#3: Lower your stress – Focusing on activities that are calming or bring you joy can lower your stress level — whether that’s cooking a fancy meal or bird watching or practicing meditation for 15 minutes a day. Anything that offers you stress relief can be helpful. Activities to consider include: Breathing exercisesYogaNature walksReadingand Watching a comedy.

#4: Connect with others – Humans are social creatures by nature. Being alone and feeling isolated can be stressful. So it’s crucial to connect with others during the pandemic. Although you should limit your physical contact with people outside your household, there are other ways to connect socially. You can: Make phone callsArrange video meetingsChat on social mediaWrite lettersTake a live class online, and Attend online religious services.

#5: Accept your feelings – Challenging situations stir up a mix of emotions. Stuffing feelings down and ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. Instead, acknowledge and name your feelings. Allow yourself to have them.

#6: Try positive self-talk – Sometimes fear and anxiety can make our minds leap to the worst scenario, even if it’s most unlikely. You might become plagued with “what if” thoughts. Try catching those negative thoughts and replacing them with more realistic statements. For example, replace thoughts about acquiring COVID-19 with what you’re doing to stay safe.

#7: Create new traditions – Usher more joy into your days by creating new traditions. You’ll have something fun to look forward to and you might even decide to keep it up once the pandemic has passed.

Sources:

http://www.mankatoclinic.com/how-do-we-cope-with-pandemic-fatigue

https://connect.uclahealth.org/2020/07/07/7-steps-to-reduce-pandemic-fatigue/

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