My Clearwater
Stay Healthy as COVID-19 Fatigue Sets In
When the pandemic began and lockdowns
08 MyClearwater
were ordered, many people were energized
to do their part and help reduce the
spread of COVID-19. However, months
of isolation and anxiety have drained people of their
motivation, causing many of us to become
less strict about the guidelines from
the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), such
as masking and physical
distancing.
Northwestern Medicine
Psychologist Jacqueline K.
Gollan, Ph.D., calls this
“caution fatigue.” In other
circles, this is called
COVID fatigue.
“Caution
fatigue” is
a mental and
emotional state,” said
Gollan. “It is different than
physical fatigue as a symptom of depression
or COVID-19.”
The following are some recommendations from
Dr. Gollan on how to fight caution or COVID
fatigue:
• Get enough sleep, eat healthy and exercise
to positively affect your mood.
• Consume less alcohol.
• Find ways to reduce stress, such as yoga,
meditation and breathing exercises.
• If your routine is off, build a new one.
Dr. Gollan also suggests focusing
on the immediate future, so that
uncertainty about the long-term
outlook does not make you
feel hopeless.
Work on Your Emotional Fitness
Keep a journal to list things you are grateful for or to track
your mood. Stay connected with loved ones by regularly
scheduled video chats. Strengthen your integrity and seek
humor. If you are feeling depressed or anxious, seek help
from a professional. A lot of people with strong minds are
suffering during this time; talking with a professional can be
helpful.
Put Risks into Perspective
“It’s hard to stay committed to goals like improving public
health by staying home, because they’re so abstract and can
often seem to have no effect on you personally," said Gollan.
"Reframe this thought to acknowledge how your behavior
could increase the chance of you or your
loved ones getting sick.”
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