Fatigue During Times of Crisis
To say the least, 2020 has been a difficult year. We’re five months into lockdown and it has been tough. In the beginning, there was a sense of hopefulness that things would go back to normal soon. As lockdown progressed, it began to feel like there was no end in sight. Mass unemployment, economic uncertainty, and extended isolation from family and friends are taking a toll. The unrelenting stress, anxiety, sadness and fear have resulted in a feeling of numbness and exhaustion – otherwise known as crisis fatigue. It is the result of long term/ chronic stress on your body and mind and it is a normal response during a crisis.
Four stages of crisis fatigue have been identified:
Heroic Stage When the crisis begins there is a sense of togetherness as people work towards figuring out how to survive.
Honeymoon Stage There is a sense of accomplishment and people feel good about working together as a community towards a common goal.
Disillusionment Stage The physical and emotional exhaustion sets in.
Fatigue Stage The human body is not designed to handle such long periods of stress, resulting in burnout
In Level 2 Lockdown we are beginning to realize the far-reaching impact of the pandemic. Mental health professionals have suggested that the next challenge will be to “flatten the mental health curve”. We are not just dealing with the virus. Several aspects of our lives have been impacted – finances, job security, child-care, and our future plans to name a few. There are wide-ranging effects that are different for everyone and it is critical to nurture your mental health in the challenging months ahead.
It may feel as though everything is out of your control right now – job losses, salary cuts, sick loved ones – but focusing only on that is overwhelming and depressing. No matter what your situation is, there are things that are within your control. Your mental health is one of them. Start by following these guidelines:
Use your energy selectively. With so much going on it might be difficult to work on everything at the same time. Choose one or two priorities that you want to address at a time.
Prepare to move forward. This will end. We don’t know how long it will take, but it will end. What are your long term goals and aspirations?
Seek hope and happiness. Pursue what gives you joy. Take a walk. Spend quality time with your kids. Play your guitar.
Be grateful. Despite the circumstances, there are moments that make life worth living. That private joke, that special moment with your partner, and that smile from your child are all meaningful.
Pay attention. Have you been feeling down for a long time? Do you remember to eat? What do you feel in your body? You are the only person that can take responsibility for you. Be aware of your mental and physical health and get professional treatment if necessary.
Rest. Your body cannot produce the energy that you need to endure the stress without enough rest.
Restore healthy habits. If the pressure of lockdown has caused you to start using unhealthy means of coping, it’s never too late to turn things around. Excessive alcohol consumption, recreational drug use and over-eating are bad habits that have a negative impact on your mental and physical health.
Stay connected. Withdrawal is common, but it is not the solution. Reach out to family, friends and community support structures like your church.
Ditch social media and the news. If the influx of information about disaster and uncertainty is dominating your life then take a break for as long as you need to.
Stay active. Take part in activities that you enjoy like exercise, fishing, yoga, or painting
If the demands of living through a pandemic exceed your capacity to deal with them, it is a good idea to get professional support. Contact LifeAssist to arrange counselling.
Author: Tarryn Cox (BA Psychology Hons)
Sources: Webmd, Psychology Today, Healthline