We are all feeling the effects of Covid-19. The pandemic has created a global mental health crisis, and many of us are struggling with symptoms of trauma and burnout.
I am sure that I am not the only one who is exhausted with it all and almost beyond caring. When they talk about new variants or another wave this Winter, I feel like I could scream.
In this blog post, I will explore pandemic burnout and what to do if you are experiencing it.
So, what is pandemic burnout?
Pandemic burnout is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that is caused by the stress we have all been experiencing over the last two years of living through a pandemic. In some cases it has been complicated further by things like job loss, social isolation, and financial insecurity.
Exhaustion – both physical and mental – is one of the most common symptoms of pandemic burnout. We have all had to juggle so many things over the last two years that we have not been able to rest and recharge.
Burnout and exhaustion inevitably lead to feelings of irritability and frustration. In some cases people have turned to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate, in an attempt to drown the stress and anxiety. Or, as in my case, they comfort eat and try to numb their uncomfortable emotions.
However, as we all know, this makes things worse, not better, increasing the problems the person will encounter in the longer term.
Insomnia is another common symptom. Many of us are struggling to get a good night’s sleep. This can be due to stress and anxiety, money worries, or simply worries about Covid, as well as the constant changes in our schedules and routines.
Obviously this creates a vicious cycle because the lack of sleep makes us even more exhausted and cranky.
What can you do to feel better?
If you are experiencing symptoms of pandemic burnout, there are some things that you can do to help yourself.
The first step is to process your emotions. It is not irrational to be upset by the upheaval that we have all been through over the last two years. Acknowledge how you are feeling and give yourself permission to feel those emotions.
The second step is to take care of yourself physically. This means getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. It is also important to find ways to relax and de-stress. Try things like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Taking care of your physical health will help to improve your mental health.
The third step is to find ways to connect with others. Social isolation can be one of the most difficult things about living through a pandemic. Make sure to reach out to your friends and family, even if it is just via text or social media. If you are feeling really isolated, there are also many online support groups that you can join.
Final thoughts
If you are struggling with symptoms of pandemic burnout, talk to your GP and ask for a referral to a therapist who can help you to deal with your stress and anxiety. There are also many helplines that you can call, such as the Samaritans in the UK.
Summer is coming up and with it the opportunity to meet friends and family and make up for lost time. Take the opportunity – go out, take a trip, live! We cannot control what will happen in Winter, but we can make sure to enjoy ourselves over the warm Summer months, storing up happiness like squirrels storing acorns for the colder months!
For Further Reading
- The Devastating Impact of Smoking on Your Mental Health
- The Therapeutic Benefits of Knitting for Mental Health
- How Music Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health
- How to Talk About Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma
- Mental Health Benefits of Visiting a Museum: What is Positive Psychology?
- The Link between Cannabis and Schizophrenia: Should Pot Come with a Mental Health Warning?
- Depression Room Cleaning: The New Trend on TikTok that boosts our Mental Health
- The New Mental Health Trend – Adult Colouring Books
- The Surprising Benefits of Taking a Bath for Mental Health
- How to overcome Pandemic Burnout – The Mental Health Crisis Created by Covid-19
- Mental Health Chatbots – the rise of the AI therapists
- How to Safeguard Your Mental Health amidst concerns about a nuclear war
- Retiring? Beware of the Risks to Your Mental Health
- How to Declutter Your Home for Mental Health and Productivity
- Is Artificial Intelligence the Future of Mental Health Services?
- Psychological Defence Mechanisms: How to Overcome Defensiveness
- Is Your Workplace Toxic? How to recognize the signs and safeguard your mental health
- Toxic Positivity – What is it and why does it Damage Our Mental Health?
- Tips on How to Improve Your Self-Esteem
- The importance of eating fruit for our mental health and wellbeing
- Vitamin B6 Reduces Anxiety and Depression: Study Shows Impressive Results
- Smoking E-Cigarettes damages Your Mental Health: Vaping linked to Depression
- The Danger of Rumination: How to Recognize and Overcome It
- Jokes or Abuse? How to Tell the Difference and What to Do If You’re Feeling Uncomfortable
- Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Illness: Why It’s Important and What We Can Do About It
- Hugging your way to better mental and physical health
- How reading can improve your mental health
- The Devastating Psychological Impact of Facebook Identity Theft
- Have you considered online therapy? It might be more effective than you think
- How to Overcome Your Fear of Flying: Tips to Make Traveling Safer and More Enjoyable
- What Is Venting and Why Do People Do It? How to Respond Appropriately
- The Scourge of Toxic Positivity
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. When you use one of my affiliate links, the company compensates me. At no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a commission, which helps me run this blog and keep my in-depth content free of charge for all my readers.
The pandemic has given the entire world OCD. So much so that I no longer feel the need to obey compulsions, since everyone else is doing it for me (lol).
But the long term effects for the children around the world having to deal with this issue is very worrying and no doubt will affect this generation long term.
I am afraid you are right 🙁 I’m hearing so many stories of young girls trying to gain some control by restricting their eating, for example. And other kids who quit school because they could not keep up. These poor kids have been so unlucky – it really breaks my heart ?