When it comes to COVID, is your ‘give a damn’ busted?
The COVID-19 pandemic is still taking and disrupting lives. Although vaccines and treatments promise that someday life will return to some kind of normalcy, a growing number of people are experiencing pandemic burnout. Peoples desire to follow protective guidelines is waning, and it seems many are just “tired” and exhausted with it all.
It is certainly understandable, after two years of something we have never experienced. Even those of us with the best intentions, that have followed all issued protocols and guidelines have to be discouraged with the daily news that things have never been “worse”.
The World Health Organization (WHO) explains this conundrum as a feeling of demotivation, as many become exhausted with the changes and compounded demands of life with COVID. The organization says this “COVID Fatigue” could ultimately lead to us into an even longer lasting pandemic, as people feel they have just had “enough”. No one likes the sound of that.
Working from home, for many, has resulted in weight gain, increased alcohol and substance use, increased anxiety, and other serious life impacts. The challenges of dealing with childcare, especially for single parents. The never-ending announcements of school systems of another “NTI” day, causing enormous challenges for families where mom and dad both work, have bad internet for online learning, etc. We won’t even get into the toll this all takes on romance, which only compounds a stressful situation.
Then there’s the children. Burnout in younger children often rears up as anxiety, being irritable, poor academic performance, or staying isolated from peers and not expressing interest in playing. They’re apt to be more irritable, have trouble sleeping, and many are regressing developmentally and failing academically.
Teenagers are a whole different matter. Teens may be more likely to experience burnout due to higher academic workload, greater need for peer interaction, and more frequent conflicts with parents.
People across the globe are feeling exhausted by the prolonged pandemic. Many have lost the motivation to keep up with public health guidelines. Some are experiencing long-term numbness, anxiety, and depression as a result of all the uncertainty.
If you’re feeling burnt out by COVID-19, you may be able to strengthen your resolve and resilience. You can adjust and re-prioritize your daily routines. You can lean on long-term, trusted relationships. You can avoid unhealthy habits and reach out for help when you need extra support.
The pandemic won’t last forever, and the self-care skills you build now may carry you through the challenges you face in the future. One thing is for sure, were all sick and tired of being sick and tired, but we must remain vigilant to help end this ongoing gloom.
