Could you be suffering from “Pandemic Fatigue?”
You are worth the quiet moment. You are worth the deeper breath. You are worth the time it takes to slow down, be still and rest. Morgan Harper Nichols
As we approach a year since the WHO declared Coivd19 a pandemic, you might be suffering from pandemic fatigue. Pandemic fatigue can occur when people get tired of the pandemic measures and become less likely to follow public health practices or simply begin to drown out those messages. A natural sense of burnout can happen since we've had to stick to these public health measures for such a prolonged period of time.
Pandemic fatigue can manifest in a variety of ways such as: eating or sleeping more or less than usual, difficulty concentrating, being short with others, lack of motivation, or inability to stop racing thoughts, to name a few. It’s also presented a challenge with our relationships, as people choose to navigate the pandemic in different ways.
Here are a few things you can do to lessen the strain on your system and take back some control.
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. Prolonged exposure can lead to increased anxiety.
Unwind, participate in activities that you enjoy or used to enjoy, consider taking up a new hobby.
Connect with others, whether that’s via facetime or seeking out a counselor for additional support because everyone is feeling maxed out.
Take care of your body, exercise regularly, eat healthy and get plenty of sleep. Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco and substance use.
Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate.
Try Take 10, from Any Puddicombe's book, The Headspace Guide to Mindfulness and Meditation
Step 1: Set a timer for 10 minutes, silence your phone and lie or sit comfortably.
Step 2: Take 5 deep breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. On the last exhale, gently close your eyes. Focus on what you hear and smell. Then shift the focus to your body, what do you feel?
Step 3: Now shift the focus to the rising and falling sensation of your breath. It might be helpful to place your hands on your stomach or your chest to stay present. Count your breaths, 1 with the rise, 2 with the fall, up to 10 and then start again.
Step 4: Finally let your mind go for about 20 seconds. Then bring your mind back to your body and your surrounding environment. The floor beneath you, the sounds around you. Gently open your eyes bringing your heart and mind into alignment and set an intention for the day, like peace and equanimity.
