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Pandemic fatigue: what is it and how to know if you suffer from it
Psychology
This situation can make us feel unmotivated, with a constant feeling of uncertainty that can generate symptoms of anxiety or depression.
It will be a year since the WHO declared global pandemic because of coronavirus. We had to learn to live without leaving home, without being able to see our loved ones or telecommute, and although it has also been good for us to get to know ourselves and the people we live with, Covid-19 has caused more depression to surface , tiredness and anxiety.
Anxiety is a mechanism that our body has to face danger and survive. Faced with new or potentially dangerous situations, our stress will rise to activate all our resources and facilitate our survival.
Laura Fuster (@laurafusterpsicologa), psychologist at Psicólogos Valencia, indicates that if in our current world there is a virus that can do us a lot of harm, our anxiety system «is going to be very active» to prevent us from getting sick: «Danger comes when stress lingers for too long, since it can lead to problems with sleep, eating, lowering of mood or, as in the case at hand, chronic fatigue ».
What is pandemic fatigue
The psychologist Fuster says that the WHO gave the name “pandemic fatigue” to a series of symptoms derived from Covid 19 disease and of the consequences that this global pandemic has brought to everyone. They also explain that 60% of the European population is suffering pandemic fatigue, in some countries “in a more pronounced way” than in March.
“After months of fighting the coronavirus, many of our lifestyles have changed. We have had to introduce masks, hand washing, social distancing, passing long periods at home, etc. ”, he remembers. What seemed normal to us less than a year ago now seems extraordinary.
This situation can cause let us feel unmotivated, with a feeling of constant uncertainty that can generate symptoms of anxiety or depression. In fact, in Spain, it is estimated that 40% of the population has moderate or severe symptoms of depression. In addition, as the WHO warns, due to the pandemic fatigue “We can stop following the protection and prevention recommendations.”
Causes
La pandemic fatigueAs Laura Fuster tells us, it is the consequence of months of uncertainty and the modification of the habits of our life. Fear of illness, isolation, boredom, uncertainty, anger or constant complaints have caused millions of people to suffer from it right now. The consequence of this is a psychological state of anxiety, sadness, discouragement, apathy and hopelessness facing the future.
In addition, various studies show that people who have been infected with Covid-19 present symptoms of tiredness. Therefore, we could say that “suffering from coronavirus exhausts” and that it is an added symptom to the usual ones (fever, dry cough, etc.).
This is how it is handled
Although the situation does not seem to improve at the moment, Laura Fuster knows how to handle the state we are experiencing:
— Watch your thinking. Our thoughts have the power to produce emotions and lead us to act in a certain way, so it is important to choose what we think at each moment. «I know it seems impossible, but try to detect the thought that hurts you and change it for another that is more useful and contributes more adaptive emotions. In consultation we work on thoughts with cognitive therapy, making people more aware of what they think and can adapt to situations, “he says.
— Take care of your emotions. Negative thoughts can lead us to feel very intense emotions, and in most cases it is a matter of accepting them: “Even if we don’t like it, it is normal for us to present a roller coaster of emotions: waking up motivated but seeing news that makes me sad. After calling a friend who encourages me but in the afternoon I suddenly feel bored, “he clarifies.
This is normal given the situation but, according to the psychologist, special attention must be paid to emotions that are very frequent, intense and that last too long. For example, being very sad every day most of the time. “In this point you should consider changing your habits or seek professional help ».
— Do enjoyable activities. “I know that it is very difficult to do things that we like in the context we are living in, but you should try to adapt the things that you like and do them, without letting yourself be carried away by apathy,” recommends Laura Fuster. Pleasant activities are the basis of the mood. Find simple activities that don’t require a lot of effort and that you can do every day.
— Do not isolate yourself. Maintaining social distancing doesn’t have to mean isolation. Try to maintain your family and friendship relationships through new technologies.
— Manage information consumption. The news, the press, social networks … the Coronavirus is in every step we take, so the psychologist recommends choosing “consciously” what information to receive. “During the time of confinement, psychologists have come to recommend setting a news schedule, for example, watching only the noon news,” he advises.