Six Symptoms of Pandemic Fatigue
The coronavirus pandemic is going on one year since it began heavily impacting our lives. This pandemic hasn't just brought challenges to our physical health, such as the threat of the illness itself, but it's brought many challenges to our social and emotional health as well. Because of this, many people have changed their lifestyles to combat the threat, support others, and follow health guidelines issued by the country or state. This has taken a toll on the mental health of many people, and this mental health struggle is now being referred to as 'pandemic fatigue' or 'coronavirus burnout.' When you are suffering from one of these symptoms, it may be time to talk to a counselor in Winter Garden to help you through this difficult time.
Pessimism
Feeling an overwhelming amount of negativity towards life can be one of the main symptoms of pandemic fatigue. Many people have been discovering that they simply don't care about certain things, as they have lowered their expectations of daily life because of the restrictions. Avoid feeling pessimistic by focusing on the things that you can do.
Difficulty Making Choices
Because of the constantly changing news cycle, guidelines, business updates, and overall media coverage, many people have been having a difficult time making choices. When they are faced with an opportunity or important choice, they freeze. They may not know whether it's safe to commit to plans or may feel discomfort about a particular situation.
Difficulty Thinking Clearly
In addition to having trouble making decisions, many people have stated that they are having trouble thinking clearly at all. As we are stuck at home or uprooted from our normal routines, we have had to adjust in ways we never predicted. This caused a shift in our expectations that may have led us to become confused, lost, or unclear about how to proceed.
Eating or Sleeping Too Much
As businesses close and offices switch to remote work, many of us are spending more of our time at home. This has led to changes in our routine that have caused many of us to sleep more, eat more, or just lay around more. When this occurs, the fatigue may actually become more severe.
Fatigue
Even if you aren't physically sleeping more hours each night, you may still feel tired, achy, or just overall fatigued more frequently. Your mood may be negatively affected, which can result in sluggishness, lack of motivation, and fatigue.
Feeling Left Out
Even though the outside world is frozen, it is still difficult to separate ourselves from the old routine. Many of us are missing friends, restaurants, events, and other entertainment options. Because of this, we may be feeling left out, even if there isn't anything to be left out of. Feeling isolated and alone increases the negativity surrounding pandemic fatigue.
If you are feeling any of the above symptoms, and especially if you are feeling multiple at once, you will want to visit a counselor in Winter Garden to get the help you need. Learning how to overcome the pandemic fatigue is the best way to work through these challenging times and maintain your overall health. Contact the professionals at Orlando Thrive Therapy to hear more about our counseling philosophies today.
