Pandemic Fatigue

What is Pandemic Fatigue?

In this marathon against the pandemic, are you experiencing fatigue?

According to the World Health Organisation, pandemic fatigue refers to "demotivation to follow recommended protective behaviours, emerging gradually over time and affected by a number of emotions, experiences and perceptions". Besides demotivation, there may be associated feelings of hopelessness, alienation and complacency.

Without doubt, the coronavirus has had an immense impact on the lives of most people, and has greatly affected both mental and physical health. With such drastic changes on our life, regardless of whether it is resulting from physical or mental health, work, social networks or relationships, we often feel worried, anxious, fearful, powerless and even angry.

Are you experiencing any of the following?

• Feeling numb, withdrawn, and reluctant to engage with others Feeling numb and hopeless about the situation you are in, and losing the enthusiasm you once had in all aspects of life. Epidemic prevention measures have reduced family and friends gatherings; working from home has also reduced face-to-face communication between colleagues. Over time, this kind of life under the epidemic may gradually become a new habit of getting along with people.
• Fear, worry, anxiety about the situation and the future Situations across the world can change suddenly and drastically in a short period of time. People tend to be apprehensive about instability and uncontrollable things, so they also feel anxious about their social prospects and their own future. It is easy to feel emotionally lost and disappointed, helpless, want to cry, and feel very tired.
• Difficulty concentrating, memory loss, difficulty coping with daily work or life. Things related to the epidemic may consume a lot of our energy and time, such as regular inspections, contingency measures at work, etc. At the same time, it will also consume our personal resources, such as sleep quality is affected, unable to sleep soundly, insomnia and nightmares etc.
• Irritability, anger and frequent tantrums The pandemic has lasted for two years, and the associated problems are still ongoing. We may be more apt to complain than ever, especially about the recurrence of outbreaks and the preventive measures to respond to them. Because we are very worried about the safety of ourselves and our family members, we will be overly vigilant, sensitive, easily frightened, and even distrust and double standards of the people around us.

If you experience any of the above situations because of the pandemic, you can remind yourself that it is normal to have emotional, behavioural, and physical stress responses in the face of adversity. As long as we know how to take good care of ourselves, even in the face of a crisis or special situation, we can gradually adapt and recover over time.

It is important to take care of our mental and physical health, but it is also important to remain vigilant and reduce pandemic fatigue and comply with recommended restrictions and regulations. A few effective ways to cope with pandemic-related stress and fatigue will be covered in another article.

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Things to think about:

Anti-epidemic fatigue status record sheet: You can take a two-week period to carefully observe your relationship with the epidemic. First of all, you can start paying attention to your living habits. Compared with three months ago, how are your epidemic prevention measures? For example, has the time to wash your hands become shorter? Are the masks changed regularly? Or are the masks changed only once the time you wear them has become longer?

Then pay attention to how you feel about the information related to the epidemic. Are you feeling numb? Or avoid checking? Or do you subscribe and follow the news closely to keep abreast of the latest situation of the epidemic?

Finally, pay attention to the feelings and emotions that you have because of the situation related to the epidemic. In daily life, do you have any emotional ups and downs in response to the epidemic? For example, feeling irritable or stressed as a result of the suspension of certain activities, the cancellation of events, the need to reschedule your plans? Or worrying about the spread of the virus? First, be aware of your personal behaviour and emotional state, then accept whether your life is affected by anti-epidemic fatigue, and finally make adjustments for yourself.

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