We’re all feeling especially exhausted these days. We’re tired of isolating in our homes, tired of juggling work and other responsibilities. We’re tired of being bombarded by bad news 24/7 and tired of the general uncertainty of what the future holds. There’s a name for what we’re all feeling, crisis fatigue, which is defined as “human response to unrelenting stress that can cause a person to feel physically numb or tired.” Sounds about right.
You may have also noticed it’s hard to escape stories about egregiously bad behavior by others, whether it’s related to the pandemic, racial injustice, or just basic human courtesies that seem to have been forgotten during this time. Are we collectively becoming a society of jerks? Or have we always been jerks and are just starting to notice it in quarantine?
According to Dr. Julian Lagoy, M.D. a psychiatrist with Community Psychiatry, our circumstances are partly to blame. “When people become more stressed out due to things like the current global pandemic, people start to show their true self and personality,” he says. “Unfortunately, for some people, that is acting badly and disrespecting others.
“When people live in a civil, law-abiding society and low-stress environment, they tend to act more civilized. Whereas if you place the same people in a lawless and very stressful society, like a war zone, you will notice that people will change their personality to reflect the situation they are in.”
In addition, the decreased amount of social interaction probably isn’t helping. Although social distancing is important to contain the spread of COVID, there are mental and physical impacts.
“As humans, we are meant to be social creatures,” says Dr. Lagoy. “Humans who have more friends and are more social tend to be healthier and have a better overall well being than humans that are isolated. I do think that social distancing is negatively affecting how people interact with others.“
If this is all making your crisis fatigue feel even more taxing, know that all hope is not lost. There are also plenty of stories of people banding together to drive social change, or even individuals performing small acts of kindness.
For example, John Krasinski’s SomeGoodNews was a show dedicated to only good news. It even included an episode with the cast of The Office reuniting for a couple’s Zoom wedding as well as a virtual ceremony for 2020 graduates with A-list speakers like Malala Yousafzai and Oprah Winfrey. Other Instagram accounts like Upworthy, Good News Movement, and Humans of New York can all give you a daily dose of feel-good content.
Creating a more empathetic environment starts with yourself. For some ways to cope with all the uncertainty and practice more kindness, here are some tips:
1. Try to detach yourself from the news
If you’re paying attention to the news, you’re likely completely consumed by it, especially now that we’re all at home surrounded by multiple screens. Dr. Lagoy advises his patients to try to retain a degree of inner peace, however possible.
“I tell [my patients] that there are some things they can control and other things they cannot; worrying about the things they cannot control is not going to solve any of their problems. Detaching to a degree from things that one cannot control is a helpful way to cope with the uncertainty right now,” he says.
One way to detach from the news is to just consume less of it. You want to stay informed on current events, but if it’s coming at the expense of your mental health, it’s time to step away from your phone for a day or even a few hours.
2. Practice self-care
We already know our minds and bodies are inundated with stress, so take time to do something just for you. It’s not selfish, it’s self-care. Prioritize your mental health, whether it’s through meditation, mindless TV shows, a long bath, a YouTube workout, calling a loved one, taking a nap, eating a really great meal, or whatever helps you decompress for a bit.
3. Get outside
There has been research that has shown the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, and one study showed that having a 20-30 minute dose of nature helped to decrease stress levels. Going outside—while social distancing from others—is a way to break up your day, get away from your computer, and breathe some fresh air. Balconies count.
4. Do your best to not judge others
It’s easy to read the news and make quick judgments as an outside observer. But Dr. Lagoy reminds us, “All we can do is control how we act and the actions we take as individuals. We are the experts and masters of our own lives. I think being judgmental of others who are acting badly is never good because one does not fully know their circumstances or their stressors.”
5. Remember that we’re all in this together
Everyone keeps saying these are unprecedented times, but remember that this pandemic is global, and even though countries and individuals are all experiencing it differently, we’re still all experiencing it together. Some time in the future, we’ll look back at 2020 as the year we all persisted through a once-in-a-century pandemic.
“Regardless of how people treat you and how you may disagree with the choices of others, it is still important to try and understand others’ difficult situations in order to overcome the judgmental thoughts you may have,” says Dr. Lagoy. And the golden rule still applies. “It is easy to treat others well if they also treat you well, but it is more virtuous and noble to be kind to those who treat you badly or with less respect than you give them.”
How are you coping with crisis fatigue? Tell us in the comments!
This post is meant for informational purposes only, you should always follow the most up-to-date CDC guidance on COVID-19 protection, and reach out to a medical professional with specific issues.
If you’re having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.
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