It’s been called a lot of different things: COVID fatigue, quarantine fatigue, pandemic burnout.
No matter what you call it, it is real.
“This kind of widespread and this is everyone’s reaction. And what we’re talking about is really kind of a normal reaction to very abnormal events,” said Jessica Schiek is the Regional Director of Behavioral Health Services for Ascension St. Mary’s Koller Behavioral Health.
Feelings of fear, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping have all come with the pandemic.
“That’s what we in behavioral health have been referring to as pandemic fatigue and watching people wrestle with these really intense emotions and decisions can really cause impact to your mental health,” said Schiek.
In some cases, that fatigue is causing people to ease up on COVID-19 health guidelines when cases are at their worst here in the Northwoods.
In other cases, people are questioning their choices of following those guidelines when they see others not do it with seemingly no consequences.
Either way, Schiek’s advice is the same.
“I think anytime anyone is feeling overwhelmed by anything is usually an indicator that we need some selfcare,” said Schiek. “I would encourage people to do the things that help them feel relaxed, help them feel restored, connecting with others, sharing in these experiences.”
There are a lot of resources available for people including a crisis text line at 741741.
There are also online and virtual options through Koller Behavioral Health.
“People can reach out for extra support or even to talk through things at any time, but I would really encourage someone to seek out if they are that any of these symptoms or reactions are impacting their ability to function in there day to day life,” said Schiek.
