How to Combat Long-Term Pandemic Fatigue

Pandemic fatigue is beginning to set in for many people around the world, and some feel that it has already sunk its claws deep into their psyches. The majority of 2020 has been a tiresome socially-distanced rollercoaster with varying levels of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders altering every aspect of a person’s life. As a result, the lines between work and personal time have blurred. 

A recent survey shows that the challenges remote talent is facing during the pandemic are difficulty unplugging, collaborating, communicating, and a lack of motivation. 

We understand that the stress of the pandemic has had a significant impact on you and your mental health. Being stuck in a state of uncertainty and constant high alert can cause long-term pandemic fatigue and burnout. When that’s stretched out over time, it can be harmful to your health in many ways. 

If long-term pandemic fatigue has you feeling exhausted and uncertain as to when this will all be over, just know that you’re not alone. We want to support freelancers and talent around the world, so we’ve put together some of the best ways to remedy long-term pandemic fatigue so that your mental health doesn’t suffer during this trying time. 

Stay in the Moment

Mindfulness is being fully aware of the present moment without any judgment so that you can navigate through your thoughts freely. Whether it’s your emotions, surroundings, or body sensations; mindfulness helps you to observe your internal and external experiences without casting any judgment or verdict on them. 

You can cultivate mindfulness through a number of ways but the simplest and easiest one is something you can do every day — meditation. 

Mindfulness meditation can be done each day for a few minutes, you set the time without putting any pressure on yourself:

• Sit in silence, anchoring your attention to the present moment
• Notice what’s happening in the here and now
• Quiet your thoughts (as much as possible)
• Take a deep breath in and a deep breath out, repeat during the meditation
• Staying focused can be challenging, try not to doubt or blame yourself
• Bring your attention back to the present moment 

Mindfulness meditation is both a tool and a challenge. Mastering it will take practice, so it’s important to not be too hard on yourself — you got this!

Create Connection Dates

Whether you’re unable to physically connect with your partner, family, or friends, it’s important to set some time aside to reach out and check-in. Quarantine, lockdown, social distancing, mask-wearing, and an inability to socialize have increased the feeling of social isolation and loneliness. 

As human beings, we’re naturally social creatures that thrive in communities. Create connection dates with your friends and loved ones. By counteracting physical distance with social connectedness, you’re able to still maintain that feeling of socializing and human connection.

Look After You 

Being in a constant state of high-alert can leave you feeling frazzled; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s time to prioritize self-care and look after you at the very essence of your being. 

There are a few different ways you can do this and the first is to set healthy boundaries with work and “you” time. It’s essential to unplug from work so that you can spend some time doing things you’re passionate about, whether it’s a hobby or playing with the kids. It’s okay to not be constantly connected to your work email, Slack, Asana, and Zoom. 

Find what helps you feel good so that you can recharge. Whether you allow yourself an afternoon nap or time to play Call of Duty for a few hours, make sure to recharge yourself when your batteries are running low. Journaling your thoughts and feelings may also help you sift through your feelings about the crisis and how it has affected you. 

While the pandemic isn’t yet over, try to find outlets for your thoughts and feelings. When you lose focus, don’t be too hard on yourself, you’re certainly not alone.