Are you tired of the pandemic? Do you find yourself feeling exhausted when exposed to another
breaking news story? Do these questions sound like the start to a really cheesy infomercial?
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With our phones and TV’s constantly reminding us of the latest information, we can become easily overwhelmed. Even our everyday conversations with family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors have a way of leading to talking about the pandemic. Sometimes it makes us wonder, is there anything else we can talk about at the moment?
Well, yes usually. Humans are social creatures by nature, so we connect through conversation. Due to the collective impact, the pandemic has created in our lives, it makes sense that this is a common topic to talk about. We are experiencing normal reactions to a very abnormal situation.
Do you feel you have not had a break from all of this pandemic stress? You may be
experiencing some burnout. Burnout occurs when we experience constant stress without any breaks. Acknowledging what we’re experiencing is the first step towards allowing ourselves the help we deserve!
Fortunately, we can include activities in our day that can help us feel a sense of relief. Some suggestions to allow yourself to de-stress include:
Limiting time on social media/engaging with news outlets: Of course, it is important to be updated with our current events. Our challenge is to find a balance between being informed versus allowing ourselves to feel anxious/depressed/overwhelmed constantly by the headlines. Pausing to reflect on how we are reacting emotionally can be a great way to check-in. Do I feel anxious after watching this video? Am I seeking out information that scares me? How am I reacting to this headline? Why do I keep crying at these puppy and baby duck videos?
Following a routine: What does your morning routine look like? How do you decompress after school or work? The trick is to find patterns of consistency that we like. Routines foster structure and a sense of normalcy! ~wake up, scream into pillow, make tea, wave to some birds outside, ready to conquer the day.
Refocusing our thoughts onto everyday activities: Engaging in activities that have a beginning, middle, and end are important for our brain. When we can visually see our engagement with something, (think laundry, baking a cake, doing a puzzle, creating a painting), we allow our mind to refocus onto the present task at hand.
For an extra bonus, there usually is a feeling of accomplishment after we complete our task! (Laundry is done AND I’m feeling good after doing it? Am I a superhero?!)
Get active: Exercise is essential for relieving stress and maintaining overall well-being. Try finding something that you like. It can be as simple as walking, stretching, or having a living room dance party! *cue the Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber playlist*
Connect with friends: This is the part where we can thank Steve Jobs! Technology can help us. If we are unable to socialize in person we can call, Facetime, or text. Joining up with others is a great way to de-stress, foster a sense of community, and have fun. If you are able to meet up in person, that is great too!
Wellness checks: Did I get enough sleep last night? Am I drinking enough water? When was the last time I ate something? Sleep, hydration, and nutrients are all crucial to everyday functioning. Checking-in with ourselves about this can be another way to further understand how we respond to situations.
Schedule time for fun: Video games, movies, and board games are all great ways to decompress. They can keep us engaged, bring us to another world (hello Hogwarts, Mordor, and Gotham), and connect us to those were around. *And if its a family game night, choose your games wisely!* I’m talking to you grandma, no more sneaking $100 bills in Monopoly!
