Important Steps for Avoiding COVID-19 Burnout
When we first began hearing that a novel coronavirus was spreading across the globe, most of us had no idea what was coming. As lockdowns started, however, the reality of the situation began setting in. That was when many of us started experiencing the first hints of COVID-19 burnout.
Career Crisis: COVID-19 Burnout at Work and Home
COVID-19 Burnout at Work
Plenty of people have continued working throughout the pandemic. Unfortunately, if you’re an essential worker, you don’t have the luxury of staying safe at home. Each day at work, you risk exposure to the virus. You also have to deal with wearing masks, social distancing, and other COVID-19 workplace regulations.
COVID-19 Burnout Working from Home
Experiencing pandemic burnout while working from home is common. First, you have the cabin fever to contend with. Then, there are all the distractions. With kids home from school, focusing can be difficult. To succeed and avoid experiencing COVID-19 burnout working from home, you’ll need to come up with a plan.
COVID-19 Burnout Symptoms: Is Stress Getting to You?
Everyone has a different reaction to stress. No matter how you’ve fared during this pandemic, it’s pretty safe to assume that the stress has affected you in some way. Trying to juggle remote work, home schooling, childcare, household duties, and your personal life isn’t easy. COVID-19 burnout symptoms include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Struggling to enjoy anything
- Overeating or loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Lasting anxiety, nervousness, or racing thoughts
- Depression or sadness
- Feeling exhausted all the time
If you’re experiencing quarantine burnout, you’re not alone. A survey from the United States Census Bureau showed that up to 40 percent of Americans are currently experiencing anxiety and depression. We’re all grieving about what we’ve lost and trying to figure out how to navigate this new world. As we do so, we must also devote more energy to self-care.
Recover from Quarantine Burnout: Practice Self-Care
Relax:
A constant heightened state of stress and stimulation will lead to COVID-19 burnout. Working on relaxation is no longer optional. It’s become a crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle.
- Reduce the amount of pandemic-related news media you’re consuming.
- Practice activities that can promote mindfulness, such as yoga or meditation.
- Work on art, listen to music, or do any other activity that makes you feel relaxed and positive.
Create Structure:
One reason working from home is an issue is because it’s often difficult for people to structure their daily lives.
- Create a dedicated workspace in a spare bedroom or office to ensure that you have a quiet place to focus.
- Make a schedule and stick to it.
- Set daily and weekly goals to create feelings of satisfaction and progress.
Get Out:
It’s hard to stay healthy while stuck in the house all the time. The lack of sunlight and fresh air will get to anyone.
- Make time to go outside for a walk every day.
- Consider doing meditation or yoga outside in the fresh air.
- Visit parks or other outdoor spaces for a change of scenery.
Talk:
You don’t have to suffer alone. If you’re experiencing COVID-19 burnout, don’t feel guilty about expressing your frustrations. While others may have it worse, that doesn’t mean it’s not okay for you to vent.
- Call a friend or family member to vent when feeling low.
- Schedule socially distanced meet-ups with loved ones when possible.
- Consider reaching out to a therapist if you need help feeling better.
Stay Healthy
Health is a hot topic right now, but there’s more to consider besides trying to avoid COVID-19. We must approach health holistically during this time.
- Exercise as much as you can, even if you can only do it in the living room.
- Make sleep a priority.
- Schedule a health risk assessment to ensure that you don’t miss the signs of serious problems.
Preventative Care: Visit MD Now for a Health Risk Assessment
If you’re experiencing COVID-19 burnout symptoms, MD Now is here to help. Our health risk assessments can provide a quick update on how your body is responding to the stress.
Skipping checkups could result in missing a minor problem before it becomes serious. The health of our patients is our highest priority. Our protocols ensure that you’ll stay safe while visiting our urgent care centers.
Along with our assessments, we also offer COVID-19 evaluations. Both our health risk assessments and COVID-19 testing are available without an appointment. Stop in and see us at any of our more than 110+ locations today.