by
Dr Hazel Othello
It’s been approximately one year since terminology such as pandemic, social distance and coronavirus inserted themselves into our vocabulary and life began to demand of us all unexpected adjustments, for which we had no plans. Now, after months of handwashing and mask wearing, superimposed on the restrictions of public health regulations, yet another term is imposing itself on our consciousness; it’s the term ‘pandemic fatigue’.
This term refers to feeling exhausted from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on one’s life. It is a very real phenomenon, characterised by increasing levels of frustration, which leads persons to become demotivated about maintaining behaviours recommended for their protection, as well as that of their loved ones, from the ravages of the pandemic.
We’ve seen this manifest itself in various ways. We’ve seen newspaper coverage of clandestine social gatherings, to which the police have repeatedly had to respond. While this was happening, many well-meaning persons with no real intent to flout the rules began to simply feel exhausted with it all. In the midst of it all, the creativity, determination and resilience of our people were demonstrated in a variety of safely produced virtual events during the Christmas and no-Carnival seasons.
It’s perfectly normal to feel tired and burned out. It’s normal to sometimes feel sad, anxious or angry, to experience grief, or to feel lonely and frustrated as a result of how the pandemic has impacted you personally or impacted the persons with whom you interact. However, if you’re battling these intense emotions day after day, they can drain your energy. This can result in inner weariness, feelings of helplessness, and feelings of hopelessness. If this is not acknowledged and adequately responded to, motivation to maintain compliance with protective behaviour can wane. In recognition of this, the World Health Organisation has been emphasising the importance of “finding effective ways to tackle this fatigue and reinvigorate public vigilance”.
So how do we, combat pandemic fatigue and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, even as we await our turns to participate in the game-changing hope presented by the increasing availability of vaccines? The answer lies in the vital concept of self-care. Eating well, exercise, getting adequate sleep and allocating time to relaxing activities. Find creative safe ways to stay connected with your social circles and to celebrate the observances you hold dear. Express your feelings; speak freely with someone about what you are experiencing. Ensure that you pay attention to your mental conversations and talk to yourself in positive ways. When additional support is needed, access it.
This article was reprinted with permission from the Trinidad Sunday Express.
Dr Hazel Othello is the Director, Mental Health, Ministry of Health in Trinidad and Tobago. See also www.health.gov.tt/services/mentalhealth or www.findcarett.com for a wide variety of resources and supports.
