Quarantine Fatigue
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Last week I was crawling out of my skin.
I felt depressed, but nothing was wrong. In fact, I’m fortunate. Everyone I know is safe, and my family still has a source of income. Meanwhile, millions of others have lost their jobs, suffered through sickness and the death of loved ones, or have been forced to surrender to a drive-by celebration of much-anticipated milestones like graduations and weddings. I had none of those things. How can I be depressed?
Quarantine fatigue is an actual thing.
Despite the decimation of the usual routine of my days and weeks, up until this last week, I was fine. Still, for no rhyme or reason, I felt edgy, ready to lose my sh*t. Lumped on top of that, was a sense of guilt for not having a legitimate reason to feel this way. The mind and emotions are complex. Alone with our thoughts, we get caught up in our own narratives. This is why, in part, socialization and community is important to us. According to a study by the Mayo Clinic: “Socializing is good for your mind and body. ... Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.”
In essence, we need socialization. We crave it.
Left to alone to wander, the mind can go to dark places—if we allow it to—especially if you’re prone to the ‘glass half full’ outlook. I’m usually upbeat, but last week, I fell into a bleak, uncomfortable funk, struck motionless with anxiety. It felt inevitable. Between pining for the ways of a past we will likely not see soon, if ever, and looking toward a future put on hold, we are trapped in the present.
But how do we cope with this reality?
Be Grateful.
Coax yourself into a better place. Every morning, begin your day with a conversation with the Big Guy or the Universe. Express your fears if that helps, but then, take a few minutes to offer up thanks for the good things in your life. In a negative mindset it might be difficult to think of something good. If you’re stuck, start simple. Be grateful for a comfortable bed, a dog or cat that keeps you company, spring flowers, a sunny day, a rainstorm to water the gardens, the mail that keeps getting delivered.
Get dressed.
If you’re working from home or unemployed, it’s tempting to want to stay in PJs or wear sweats, but if that’s not your typical pre-COVID-19 wardrobe, don’t make it your new normal.
Get moving.
Take a walk, do yoga, dust off your treadmill or exercise bike, or get outside and do some gardening. As my husband can attest to, digging in the Earth is a great way to beat the blues.
Socialize.
Find ways to connect with others. Call, email, Zoom, Facetime, Skype. How about writing an old-fashioned letter? I’ll bet receiving a handwritten letter in the mail would really brighten someone’s day.
Last, if you’re open to it, meditate.
Many people believe they can’t do this, but if you start small, just a few minutes, you can build up to longer times… or not. I recommend this quick grateful meditation on the app Insight Timer. Simple and fast. Check it out: Gratitude Meditation.
Have some ideas on how to counteract the blues? Please comment below. I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Be well, my friends!
Photo by Yuris Alhumaydy on Unsplash
Photo by Yuris Alhumaydy on Unsplash
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