The term “COVID fatigue” has been tossed around a lot lately. With all the conspiracy theories and misinformation out there, I initially thought this was a bunch of hocus pocus. But COVID fatigue – getting careless because we’re sick and tired of masking, being cooped up, being terrified – is a very real thing. And it’s dangerous, as evidenced by the millions of new cases in just a matter of days.
For me, being scared is the biggest problem, even as I (thankfully) enter month 11 of being COVID free. You’d think that would make me even more vigilant, but the stress of wondering if I’ll get sick, dodging strangers who come too close, trying to remember what it felt like to hug someone…it makes me downright cynical at times. Like, why am I bothering with a mask when there are no guarantees? Why can’t I just live my life already?
If you’re in the same headspace, you may be wondering how you can get yourself back on track. The key is recognizing COVID fatigue as a mental health issue. It wears away on your mind and creates an altered reality that’s ruled by anger and disillusionment. That’s why it’s so important to develop mindful coping skills – ones that can keep you positive and maybe even spread that joy to others.
While we all have different ways of coping, here are some mindful habits that get me through the dark times:
Exercise (No gym membership needed!)
There’s a reason so many doctors prescribe this as a coping mechanism. Even a simple, brisk walk can help you feel better by releasing feel-good endorphins and reducing the body of stress hormones like adrenaline. If you don’t feel like going out, try a 10-minute stretch or yoga session. I like to get in a session early in the morning, in between my first and second cup of coffee. That way, I’m ready to face the day with strength and positivity!
Expressing Gratitude
Being grateful shouldn’t be an annual exercise right before you cut the turkey. It’s actually a great way to bring yourself back to reality when you start ruminating about the future or how much better things were last year. Some people keep gratitude journals so they can write down their thoughts at the end of each day. But there’s no right or wrong way to do this. It’s really about focusing on what you have, versus what you don’t have.
Talk About It
This seems so obvious, but many of us have been brought up on values like self-reliance and fortitude. Which are wonderful qualities, mind you, but no one can be strong all the time. In fact, not expressing your fears and anxiety will end up making you weaker in the end. And if you don’t have anyone to talk to? Write down your thoughts or look up an online forum where you can connect with others. You can even express your feelings through art or music, like painting or playing an instrument.
Practice Mindfulness
In recent years, mindfulness has been recognized as a powerful coping mechanism by major universities and medical centers. In a nutshell, mindfulness is being fully aware of the present moment and keeping your focus on the task at hand. If you’re washing your hands, for example, pay attention to all the sensations and movements, like the feel of the water, the fragrance of the soap, the way your hands feel when they rub together.
If you start drifting to sad or negative thoughts, acknowledge those thoughts, but redirect your attention to the act of washing your hands. By redirecting yourself, you learn to avoid the vicious circle of ruminating, i.e., thinking the same sad, dark thoughts over and over. Now, I’m not saying mindful handwashing will cure you of your COVID-related anxieties. But practicing mindfulness can help you manage your emotions and make better choices when you feel overwhelmed.
Limit Negative Influences
I was never a news junkie before the pandemic, but these days, staying informed is practically a national pastime. And we all know news shows tend to be way more negative than positive. All that negativity totally fed into my COVID-fatigue, so I started to limit my news consumption. I stick to whatever comes up on YouTube’s “Breaking News” feed in the morning, then go about my day. Oh, and be careful with social media, which can be a hotbed of scare tactics designed to get you worked up.
One last bit of advice…go easy on yourself. If you’re like me, there’s nothing like a crisis to bring out your worst fears and insecurities. I know I’m not the only one this year who’s burst into tears or tossed and turned at night, thinking about how I could have been better prepared for a situation like this. Whenever you get down on yourself, remember how far you’ve come – how far we’ve all come. It may be hard to see the light during this dark, cold winter, but believe me: We will survive this pandemic, and come out of it stronger than we were before.
Article by Rose Scott. Check out more of Rose’s work at https://thewriterrscott.wordpress.com/
Photo credit: Paula Palmieri
Magdalene Journal 