From day one of the pandemic, our world changed. Wearing masks in public, social distancing, remote work, and extra cleaning procedures.  You did your part to slow the spread, as fears of getting sick grew.  Now, eight months later, you may be feeling burnt out, exhausted, and just plain over this so-called “new normal”.  You are experiencing pandemic fatigue. Here are a few ways to reduce the impact of pandemic fatigue.

Acknowledge your feelings and take control. When you are tempted to step out without a mask or ignore social distancing guidelines, remind yourself that taking these precautions is a way you can assert control over the situation. To make it easier, have multiple masks and keep them in various places, and keep small bottles of hand sanitizer in several locations to encourage frequent use. This is crucial to control the spread.

Take care of yourself.  Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and finding time to be physically active. Doing these things can lift your spirits, boost your energy levels, and strengthen your immune system.  It is also important to take your vacation days to relax and re-energize.

Find what brings you joy.  Focus on activities that are calming or bring you joy.  Cooking, practicing meditation, reading.  Anything that offers you stress relief can be helpful.  Engaging in these activities helps creates a sense of normalcy.

Let yourself laugh.  When we laugh, we release endorphins, which help promote an overall sense of wellbeing.  Laughter also relieves physical tension and stress.  A good laugh can even burn a few calories and boost your immune system.

Connect with others and share your feelings.  Make a phone call, set up video calls, chat on social media, or write letters.  Speak to friends and loved ones who might be struggling with similar feelings to support each other and share coping strategies.

Be compassionate with yourself and take it day by day. Don’t expect perfection.  It is fine if you don’t have all the answers or always know what to do.  No one does.  Moreover, avoid looking too far down the road.  We put ourselves through unnecessary misery projecting into the future or worrying about the past.

Reach out.  Employee & Family Resources offers a variety of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources to help you now, or anytime.  You can reach EAP by phone (800-327-4692) or visit their website at https://www.efr.org/login/.  All EAP benefits are confidential and available 24/7/365.  

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources