Dec 17, 2020 Suffering from Pandemic Fatigue?

By: Damaris Ababio, Physical Therapist Assistant, MSCS

Are you tired of wearing a face mask every time you step out of the house? Do you feel tired of being in the house? Itching to go on that vacation you had planned? What about going out for a quick bite at your favorite restaurant? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you very well may be experiencing pandemic fatigue, but don’t worry, you are not alone!

None of us imagined our life would be completely altered by the corona virus, and the longer it lingers, the more we grow tired of living the COVID-19 life, the new norm of 2020. However, despite the challenges this pandemic has posed to the world, it’s very important for us to continue to remain vigilant and to adhere to state guidelines for our own safety and that of others so that pandemic fatigue does not get the best of us.

What are some practical ways to fight pandemic fatigue?

  • Continue to keep your normal routine
    • For instance, if you now work from home, continue to wake up at the same time every day, take a shower and get dressed like you would if you were actually going to work. Remember we are creatures of habit, so if you break your normal routine, it will be difficult for you to get back into the swing of things when you return to work.
  • Exercise, exercise, exercise!
    • Have you heard, exercise is medicine for the body and the brain! So when that zoom meeting begins to make your hips, back and knees feel stiff or when you feel like reaching for another cup of coffee because you can’t stay awake, get up and take a walk or do some sit to stands to get some blood flowing through your body, your brain and joints will thank you.
  • Never got to start that project in the house? Now’s the time
    • With more free time on our hands than ever, why don’t you use this time to work on things you always wanted to do around the house, like painting, reorganizing, trying a new recipe or finishing that book you started a while ago? You will feel a sense of accomplishment and productivity.
  • Connect with family and friends
    • Never got to call Aunt Mary or Uncle Joe, now you can do so and check up on those whom you love. No doubt COVID-19 has left many feeling alienated from those whom they love and making the time to connect with such ones will give you both a boost in serotonin levels.
  • Take in as much Vitamin D as you can
    • With winter fast approaching and daylight savings stealing much of our sunlight, why don’t you schedule time to go out for a walk at a time of day when there’ll be less people but plenty of Vitamin D from the sun. You can also change your curtains to allow natural sun-light to fill your house for a lift in mood.

Give these tips a try or better yet, come up with your own, while staying safe of course. Remember, the more productive you are with your time, the less of it you’ll give to pandemic fatigue.

Bio:

Damaris Ababio is a Physical Therapist Assistant at the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center. She treats patients with neurological and orthopedic conditions as well as balance and gait deficits. Damaris completed her education at Essex County Community College in May, 2011 and has been working at the ACC since October, 2011. Damaris is currently a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist (2018) and an LSVT BIG certified therapist (2020). She also serves as a member of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation Professionals and the American Physical Therapy Association. When she’s not working, Damaris enjoys spending time with her family, participating in philanthropic work or carrying out a DIY project.

The Saint Barnabas Medical Center Rehabilitation centers are open and ready to help you achieve your goals. With four locations in West Orange, Millburn and Livingston, the experienced and compassionate staff at Saint Barnabas Rehabilitation offers adults and children the specialized care they need to resume an active life after surgery, injury or illness. They are committed to providing patients with the most advanced services in a safe, caring and soothing environment. For high-risk patients who are unable to visit in person, telehealth is an option. Patients do not need a prescription for physical therapy services