By Dr Farah Ingale, Director-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi
At the time when we all believed that we were veering towards the end of the pandemic, a new variant, took us by the storm. Even before we could realize it, we were all gripped under the pressure of the next COVID19 wave, and so experiencing fatigue is natural and understandable.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS PANDEMIC FATIGUE?
It has been two years since the first COVID19 case was detected and since then the uncertainty and impact of the pandemic has caused much angst – be it health-wise, emotional stress, financial stability, familial distress, or the constant volatile situation. The first case for COVID_19 in Mumbai was reported on March 11, 2020 and since then it has impacted the lives of many people around the globe. While it has devoted families by causing death of loved ones, it has also caused considerable mental and physical stress.
When we first heard that a new deadly virus was spreading around the world, we went on high alert. During the first wave, we isolated ourselves at home in a nationwide lockdown – that indeed was quite tough, but it was new, so we found ways to cope with it. Then, little by little communities and businesses opened, but just then the second wave dominated by the Delta variant seemed to be our biggest nightmare – sweeping away communities and causing millions of fatalities across the globe. Importantly, Pandemic Fatigue should not be confused with Post COVID19 Fatigue, Pandemic Fatigue refers to feeling overwhelmed with still having to constantly stay alert.
In the past few months, we saw a decline in COVID19 cases and so we saw life limping back to normalcy. We hoped the year new would be our new beginning but just then COVID19 cases began to surge again, indicating that we were already witnessing the third wave. Anxiety, sadness/ Depression, and fatigue are the three biggest impacts we’re seeing on mental health. Loss is the greatest driver of Depression, and this pandemic has led to all kinds of losses: important events, connection to family, friends & community, travel, opportunities, finances, and career; the list is nearly endless. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines ‘pandemic fatigue’ as being demotivated and exhausted with the demands of life during the COVID19 crisis. WHO also warns that this fatigue could ultimately lead to a much longer, more devastating pandemic.
SO, IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCE, HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE FATIGUE AND HOW WE OVERCOME THE TURMOIL?
As the pandemic marches on, mental health will continue to take a hit and we might have a prolonged exposure causing a myriad of problems. Most of us, would have heard the words ‘healthy, wealthy, and wise’ in our youth. If a single life lesson learned from the pandemic is to claim precedence over others, it is that health, be it the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, or equated with wealth, is paramount. This takes us back in time to those three words where health was in the first place.
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU CAN DO TO OVERCOME PANDEMIC FATIGUE AND STAY POSITIVE:
- Accept the situation, rewind and rejuvenate: We can’t change a situation that we are not aware of. It is ok to feel irritated, impatient, angry. Accept that all these responses are normal and understandable during such a difficult time. Awareness is a cornerstone of any mental health toolkit. We need to give ourselves permission to acknowledge that what we’re feeling is 100% normal and that very a positive change will occur. Take a walk. Take a bath. Read a book. Do things that are deliberately calming.
- Meditation is key: Breathing and mediation exercises are the simplest way to reduce stress and Anxiety. Slow your breathing to tell your body that there’s no immediate threat. Breathing helps us manage the Anxiety response on a physical, physiological and mental level
- Stay away from social media: Being clouded with negative stories on TV or on social media, fuels increased dread, uncertainty, Anxiety, and fatigue. Deliberately stay off social media; especially, if you’re hooked on checking your social feeds, remove the apps. Try scheduling two, 5-minute “check-in” sessions each day, other than that, stay off social media
- Stay active: Physical activity, exercise and sports that make you move will help you stay physically & mentally fit. It will also help you strike the balance, boost your mental health and help you rest and recharge
- Above all, build resilience. It is the ability to bounce back from hard circumstances. This can be learnt from professional athletes who are great at it because they are used to recovering from exhaustion, injury, and extreme demands on their minds & bodies. Remember, resilience may be a personality trait, but it can also be built up intentionally – believe in yourself, stay focused on positivity and stay active.
