Life, as we know it, has been very different since March 16, 2020 – a date that will be forever etched in our mind. So many parts of our lives have changed such as the liberties that we have taken for granted until they became restricted. Our ability to run an errand freely, meet up with a friend for a meal or cocktails, exercising at the gym, getting a haircut, hugging another person, going to a party, going on vacation. The changes have been drastic and were quick.
Overnight, we stumbled in setting up technology so that we may continue to work from home, if you were not an essential worker, and to set up virtual teaching for our children while we took on the role of teacher. And we did it. I know I grumbled through the first few weeks thinking it would come to an end in a month, at the very longest. But, I was wrong. We were all wrong. Very wrong.
Here we are, almost 4 months and 2 seasons later, we are still in quarantine and the COVID-19 virus continues to scare us, threaten us, worry us about our older parents and family members, ourselves and our children. Although parts of living in quarantine have become “normal” or shall I say, we have adjusted, this is hard, really hard.
Many people, parents, and children are feeling the weight of months of feeling distressed about a changed life, about significant life limitations, about the loss of many milestones such as graduations, weddings, baby showers, wedding showers, proms, and many other events that have been postponed indefinitely.
Many of us are burned out. Cooked. Fried.
If you are able to check off several of the below statements, you are likely burned out and may need to seek support and respite:
__ You are constantly thinking about the Corona Virus and looking up information on-line
__ You are ruminating about how long we will continue to be in quarantine
__ You are tired all day long, but then restless and awake at night
__ You find yourself craving a quiet mind
__ You miss your old routine and think about it often
__ You ask yourself “What if” often
__ You’re tense most of the day
__ Your sleep is choppy
__ You miss interacting socially with others
__ You are grieving missed milestones or events that would have taken place since quarantine
__ You miss life’s little pleasures such as getting your nails done, getting a haircut or a massage freely
__ You don’t leave our house often
__ You order your groceries or plan grocery trips around low volume time
__ You think about the spread of germs and where your hands (or your children’s hands) have been in relation to others
Seeking Support
It’s often hard to recognize or admit that we are burned out. We have taken great pride in taking on a great deal on a daily basis and then taking on more. We feel efficient and proud of ourselves even when we struggle to balance so much life in so little time. But right now, our usual go-to’s for coping are just not there.
- It’s okay to ask for help. If you need to process your anxiety and worry, contact a therapist.
- If you are struggling to find ways to relax your body and need the help of an outside agent, contact your Primary Care Physician or a psychiatrist for an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant.
- If you are struggling to maintain activity and need guidance, hire a virtual personal trainer.
- If you are working around the clock while also serving as a Camp Counselor, take some time off from work.
- If you are not cut out to be a Camp Counselor, hire a trusted sitter to entertain your children while you work so that you are not balancing two worlds constantly.
For many of us, we are unsure when quarantine may come to an end and when COVID-19 will no longer be a threat. Honestly assess how you’re doing and seek the support you need. There’s no need to suffer anymore.