Right now, as I draft this blog on my phone, I’ve been waiting over an hour and a half for a Walmart curbside pickup. My big outing for the week. I’m so frustrated, sitting here at their mercy waiting because I’m autoimmune compromised. I just wanted to get something on my own without bugging Bill, my supportive husband. I’m about to lose my mind waiting this long – augh, even after texting, calling, calling the store manager. “It’s the pandemic.” Is the answer I keep getting. Quarantine Fatigue. Gahhh.
Can you relate?
What is Quarantine Fatigue?
Here’s what some are saying about this, “ Quarantine fatigue — exhaustion and waning discipline surrounding the restrictions to daily life needed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus — is entirely understandable. Staying home is stressful, boring and, for many, financially devastating.”
~ Pie Mulumba and Gisèle Wertheim Aymés of Longevitylive.com
How does Quarantine Fatigue show up?
- feeling drained at the end of the day
- fatigued more than normal
- higher rates depression or sadness
- higher feelings anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Making mistakes
- Lack of motivation – the I don’t wannas.
- PTSD symptoms
- feeling antsy
- Pain – headaches, body aches, etc.
- Restlessness or the opposite lethargy
- Feeling hopelessness
- Anger – lashing out maybe
- Impatient
- Sleep issues – too much, too little, Irregular difficulty going to sleep and/or waking up
- Eating issues – too much, too little, cravings, binging
What causes Quarantine Fatigue?
The amount of uncertainty in our day to day lives. Massive amounts of change forced upon us. Not enough time to prepare and integrate the changes in our lives. Prolonged isolation, too many virtual meetings in a day or back to back, looking at the same living space day after day, too much news, too much social media, weary of the same thing day in and day out. Lack of social in person connection, eating or drinking too much. All of this can lead to higher rates of anxiety and depression.
Add any family, work, or life, shopping stress and boom 🤯 you’re over the edge.
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll almost 50% of adults indicate that the coronavirus pandemic has impacted their mental health.
What can we do to be resilient when Quarantine Fatigue sets in?
- Acknowledge what your feeling
- See my article for how to do this– Uncertain Times – 10 Tips for Resiliency Amid Massive Change
- Meditate
- Learn something new -a new skill, hobby, craft
- Download a new learning app or game (mindfully use the time on a device)
- Keep a daily routine
- I can help you with this.
- Do your daily routine differently
- Brush teeth with other hand
- Walk to the mailbox/block a different way
- Get outside
- Take a mindfulness walk – noticing what you see.
- Read a book outside
- Picnic outside
- Can't get out - sit near a window
- Soak in sunlight as often as you can. 10 min.
- Exercise- take a walk -bike ride
- Take a drive out in nature-see something different
- While social distancing & staying safe
- Have a date night
- Grab some take out & drive to a nice view or park if they are open
- Limit news & social media
- Be mindful how they make you feel
- Plan for what’s next after quarantine
- See my article What is Your Next Chapter In Life
- Keep socially connected
- Zoom, Google Meet, and Facetime are a few ways
- Connect to at least 3 people per day
- Have a social distanced get together
- Make sure to have some private just you time
- Doing what you like - reading a good book for me, bath, fav pod cast, hobby or meditating
- Volunteer safely
How are you coping with Quarantine Fatigue? I’d love to hear from you.
My wish for you is that you're mindful about how you’re progressing through this quarantine and making safe choices for when and if you go out. As I said in my last blog, I hope we move into the next chapter as a global community mindfully keeping the good and rejecting negative.
I’m all about learning, educating and providing resources. Please share with anyone who may benefit from this article.
Free article - 15 Tips for Coping with COVID. The article includes journal prompts and resources that may be of use.
Want to learn more about working through COVID change, loss and grief? Click here and scroll down to my free Grief Journey Assessment – this tool can help you discover where you are and what may be next steps.
If you or someone you know is looking for deeper and more in-depth support, I’m offering 30-minute laser coaching at pay what’s right for you pricing through this pandemic. Click here to learn more & schedule a session.
Peace, blessings, may you be well, may you find happiness, may you be healthy,
Teresa – Working through quarantine fatigue mindfully.
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, ACC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down my life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
Quarantine Fatigue Resources
Quarantine Fatigue is Real - Here's how to cope - Healthline
Quarantine Fatigue is real - 10 Ways to Beat It - Longevitylive
Quarantine Fatigue - How will you decide to rejoin the world? - Psychology Today
Coronavirus is harming mental health - Washington Post
Uncertain Times - 10 Tips for Resiliency Amid Massive Change + Resources
15 Tips for Coping with Stress When the Worlds Out of Control
What's the Next Chapter in Your Life - A simple reflection and planning guide
Basic Business Emergency Planning and Resiliency
Teresa's Free Resources - Change, Resiliency, Loss, Personal Development and more