Can I ask you a couple of questions?
Have you ever planned your day the night before and then in the morning you wake up with no energy to face the day you had planned? Are you feeling exhausted? Do you feel like you do not have the energy to take on tasks or things that once gave you joy? You are not alone.
The Covid 19 pandemic has brought several stressors to people including businesses closing, job losses, social isolation, childcare challenges, general uncertainty and it has also made people worried about whether they will survive the pandemic.
Millions of people around the world seem to be suffering from “pandemic fatigue.”
I have and am experiencing pandemic fatigue. I am going through it – feeling anxious and being mentally fatigued. One day I feel like I am at the top of the world and the next I don’t have the energy to face the tasks I have for the day. This can be very frustrating especially when you have many things to do and your energy just doesn’t match what you need to do.
“‘Pandemic fatigue’ is probably a short-hand way of saying that we’re more stressed, we’re experiencing significant depression and anxiety, and we’re burnt out and we’re probably grieving our old lives in a lot of ways,” says psychologist David Sbarra.
Here are some tips on how to deal with pandemic fatigue which I got from therapist Maggie Githu and Dr. Amber Thornton.
1. Take care of yourself
Don’t neglect yourself. Make sure you are maintaining good hygiene every day. Take a shower, drink water, eat consistently, get some quality sleep, go outside for some sun and get some exercise (walking, dancing, yoga, football, biking.)
Taking care of yourself also helps you mentally because it gives you something to look forward to which can be hard during this time. Simple Ways Of Practicing Self-Care On A Daily Basis
2. Psychological wellbeing
Triggers
Look out for any triggers that could be giving you anxiety. It could be watching or reading news on Covid 19, it could be social media. If it is triggering, you stop watching tv or take an extended break from social media to allow you to focus on things that help you calm down or bring you happiness. It could be that particular people are triggering you on social media. Just mute or block them.
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Make and keep a set routine
Creating and sticking to a routine is health and it can help you manage your anxiety. Find a routine and a rhythm that works for you.
Find things that makes you laugh
You can get anxious about what is going on around you if you focus on it too much. Find something that makes you smile whether it is babies, kittens, memes or people who know how to cheer you up.
Practice healthy self-talk
This could include affirmations, listening to podcasts and music that uplifts your spirits. Remind yourself that the bad times will not be forever.
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3. Consume content that doesn’t require deep introspection
Be careful about the kind of content you are consuming both online and offline. Look for content that doesn’t add to your anxiety. Content that makes you laugh or even content that helps you learn new things. Btw now is a great time to learn how to cook something new. It is relaxing and apparently unleashes your creative side according to be a blogpost I read. Who even needs a recipe? Cook something new.
4. Get creative
Therapist Maggie says that a creative undertaking can help reduce anxiety. So, get creative. Write, paint, make things, get sculpturing clay and make new things, pick up an instrument. You can even take your child’s Lego bricks and make new things. I got a colouring book for adults and I plan to colour all the different designs.
5. Socialize from afar
Just because we cannot have many personal gatherings doesn’t mean that you should forget to socialize. Don’t isolate yourself from other people because you are feeling sad, or depressed. I know extroverts like myself are suffering but don’t forget about other ways to be social. Call or text your family and friends and also do video chats.
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6. Go for therapy
It is important to note that these solutions may not work depending on what’s going on. If you are still feeling very lethargic after trying all of these tips maybe you need to think about going for therapy. Invest in therapy if you feel like you are unable to cope and you need to talk to a professional to make sense of your hopelessness and anxiety. You could be falling into a serious depression and not know it.
I know many of us are going through a tough time during this pandemic whether or not we are experiencing Pandemic fatigue.
Roy Bennet said “Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.”
Please take care of your body, your mind and keep being creative. Take one day at a time. Please remember in all things to be kind to yourself. You may not be feeling quite like your normal self and that is ok.
Slow Down – Don’t Wear Out Your Body & Mind While Trying To Be Successful. Here are 5 Lessons On Self Love We Should Learn And Implement Also check out 5 Signs You Should Take A Mental Health Day
