3 (Mindful) Ways to Deal with Pandemic Fatigue
Although it is a relatively new phenomenon, pandemic fatigue has taken the world by storm. Indeed, although many of us are doing our best to remain positive and forge ahead, the stress, depression, and anxiety triggered by the global pandemic have been devastating to people from all walks of life. For example, studies have shown that approximately 75% of workers report experiencing burnout since the pandemic started. Moreover, 40% of respondents also experienced at least one mental/behavioral health episode during the summer of 2020 alone. Therefore, we need to find actionable remedies to this widespread issue. With that in mind, the following is an overview of 3 mindful ways to deal with pandemic fatigue.
What is Pandemic Fatigue?
For those who are yet unfamiliar, pandemic fatigue is a term used to describe the negative feelings associated with being stuck in the house and unable to interact with the public for days, weeks, or months on end. It describes the adverse reaction most humans are having to wearing masks, social distancing, working from home, and creating ‘new normals.’
The most common contributing factors:
Forced, prolonged isolation.
Exposure to large amounts of death and illness.
Loss of creative/emotional outlets.
Loss of connection to friends and family.
Long periods of boredom.
Changes to everyday routines.
New financial pressures.
Fear of sickness/death.
Fear of the future.
How Can We Deal with Pandemic Fatigue?
Take Mental Health Breaks
One of the top ways to counteract pandemic fatigue is taking mental health breaks. Rather than viewing this as cowering or being avoidant, taking a mental health break is one of the best ways to allow your brain and body the chance to recharge. No matter if you take a day, a few days, or a week, the mental health break is meant to boost mental clarity, efficiency, and productivity.
Add Some Structure to Your Days
Another great way to combat pandemic fatigue is adding more structure to your days. In other words, many people lost their sense of structure once they were forced to stay home for work, school, and leisure. Creating a set schedule is an excellent way to ensure that you are not just wandering aimlessly from one day to the next. It gives you an opportunity to create, assess, and achieve goals while also allowing you time to relax and decompress. Moreover, it also allows you to make your own sense of normalcy that caters to your unique needs. So, for instance, if you prefer to work on weekends and take rest days throughout the week, you may be able to set your schedule in a way that allows you to do just that.
Talk to a Professional
Seek professional help for pandemic fatigue as would be recommended for anything that is disrupting your life for prolonged periods of time. So, if you are feeling crushed by pandemic fatigue, it may be time to talk to a professional.
Overall, if you are suffering from pandemic fatigue, you are not alone. Millions of people across the globe have suffered from this issue at some point since the pandemic started. Although it can be a scary and frustrating experience, pandemic fatigue is also totally treatable. However, you can only get help if you first notice the signs and are willing to do so. Taking the time to assess your own symptoms and reach out to mental health professionals can be life-changing for those who are experiencing pandemic fatigue. Although we can't change the past, we can definitely do what it takes to learn healthy coping mechanisms to better deal with the future.
