By Katie O’Neill
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”-Sir Winston Churchill
Remember in March of 2020, when we were first hit with COVID-19 restrictions? We heard “two weeks” to flatten the curve, and the mention of restrictions staying in place until July seemed beyond comprehension. We set up online meetings, baked cookies, and committed ourselves to following the guidelines with the promise that this would be over soon and we were all in this together.
Ah, those were the days.
Now over six months later, we are battle fatigued. The montage has played, and instead of the triumphant ending we hoped, we are in for many sequels, full of uncertainty, and compounding problems and fears.
Short periods of stress can lead to bursts of adrenaline, which can cause people to feel energized and eager. However, as that short term stress leads to long term stress, we are more prone to burning out, and experiencing emotional, mental, and physical fatigue. Normal life can be stressful as is, but placed under the backdrop of a pandemic, our coping mechanisms become overly taxed. Our bandwidth is spent, and we may feel we have nothing left to give.
There are pragmatic concerns from financial strain, job losses, changes in routines, and juggling of responsibilities, along with the on-going mental and emotional stress from fear, anxiety, and loneliness. The combination of having distance from people socially while also no longer having any space from people at home can create relationship stress. We may find ourselves growing tired of restrictions and taking fewer precautions; we feel starved for connection and binge on the things that feel normal, only to later feel guilt and fear that we might have increased our risk.
Even if some people have not experienced many changes in their daily life, there is a sense of ambient stress surrounding everyone and everything. It can be difficult to escape reminders of the situation that we are facing and the fear of the unknown. Grief is also a common feeling, not just for the loss of life, but also for the feeling of loss from a job, our favorite places and activities, events, and other major life milestones that have been sidelined.
While there are no easy solutions and there likely will not be quick return to feeling normal, here are some ways to help you and your employees cope with the sense of “Pandemic Fatigue”.
- Recognize that you aren’t alone: People are likely hitting their breaking points at different times and in different ways. No matter how people’s situations may vary, most everyone is experiencing some degree of mental strain. By acknowledging that you may not be feeling or acting your best, you can also acknowledge that others are feeling the same, and we can lend ourselves and others compassion to have some bad days.
- Focus on putting one foot ahead of the other: It can be difficult to watch long term plans begin to look uncertain, or try to plan for the future. By focusing on what you need to do in the moment, and finding good moments in every day, you can promote being mindful.
- Keep some space (socially and otherwise): Even though we are tired of it, it is important to continue to follow guidelines as they adapt and change, and not lose our commitment. It is also ok to need some space and give others some space if experiencing some feelings of crankiness and exhaustion.
- Don’t lose hope: While it seems like this will never end, in the grand scheme of life, this is a snapshot. Testing, treatments, and adjustments continue to evolve and improve, which will likely mean a slow return to safety vs. a quick return to “normal”.
- Keep your health and well-being in mind: With the disruption in our normal routines, stress, and isolation, it can be easy to fall into bad habits and binge on food, alcohol, television, and social media. Try to find new ways to stay active, and tend to your physical, mental, and emotional health to encourage resiliency.
- Resource reminders: Keep employees aware of wellness programs and Employee Assistance Programs to help them stay healthy and navigate the complex emotions associated with the pandemic.
Most importantly, don’t forget to take time to “forget”. While it is important to stay informed, it can also be beneficial to take a break from the news and reminders of the pandemic. Spending some time in nature, reading a book, or focusing on a new project can help provide a much welcomed mental break and sense of purpose.
Katie O’Neill, DC, BS
Director of Clinical Wellness
McGriff
Katie.O’Neill@McGriff.com