Wellness

Dealing with Lockdown Fatigue

It’s hard to navigate the uncertain waters of lockdowns. We don’t know when circumstances will plunge us into one. We don’t know when things will take a turn for the better and we’ll see some respite. 

Lockdown fatigue has been described as a state of exhaustion caused by the long-term impact of quarantining and isolation on life. When there’s uncertainty for this long, it’s natural to feel fatigued from trying to keep everything in life together. 

Some of the symptoms of lockdown fatigue that you may be experiencing include:

  • Feelings of sadness and irritability 
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and fear
  • Physical exhaustion and burnout
  • Difficulty focusing, prioritising, problem-solving and making decisions
  • Lack of motivation and reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities
  • Difficulty in maintaining a routine
  • Difficulty sleeping 

How to deal with lockdown fatigue 

The lockdown may be over, but the effects of lockdown may remain constant for a great proportion of our community.

So here are some tips to think about over the coming weeks:

  1. Be kind to yourself – Accept the fact that’s ok to feel burdened, sad and anxious. Try not to be critical or judge yourself. Small things like journaling, meditating or talking through your feelings with someone you trust may make it easier to get through bad days. 
  2. Try to create and stick to a routine – It’s common to feel tired and unmotivated when you’re not on a schedule. It’s important to create a routine for your sleep, meals, work, rest and exercise. If you are continuing to work from home, take time out and schedule regular breaks to get fresh air and relax.
  3. Stay connected with loved ones – One of the hardest impacts of the lockdowns have been the restrictions on social visits. Make an effort to reconnect, using the most of technology if you can’t get to people immediately. 
  4. Relax – Make an effort to prioritise some time in your day for the things you enjoy, whether it be listening to music, reading, watching movies, cooking, gardening, working on your family history, playing games, or doing puzzles, craftwork or painting.
  5. Try to balance your negative thoughts with positive ones, focus on the present and try not to worry about what you cannot control.

If you or someone you know has been struggling with lockdown fatigue please don’t hesitate to give us a call on (03) 9509 7912.

Photo by Los Muertos Crew from Pexels

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