Fighting Pandemic Fatigue: Some Feel Exhausted As COVID-19 Outbreak Drags On With No End In Sight

SINGAPORE – Freelance writer Sng Ler Jun has been taking on more writing assignments since March to earn extra money for himself and his family.

His 55-year-old mother was fired from a part-time job as a food promoter in February and his father, a 59-year-old taxi driver, has seen his earnings drop since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, the 24-year-old, who is pursuing a BA in communications from the University of Buffalo at the Singapore Institute of Management, said he feels “pressured to work harder.”

The worry of finding a steady job after graduating in December keeps you awake at night. “I’m doing unpaid writing work to reinforce my resume and to help me find a job,” said Sng, who is an only child.

Still, he is “beset by uncertainty” as he doesn’t know when the economy will improve. “It’s demoralizing to think about it and I feel drained.”

Because of this, his mood and energy have been low and he no longer enjoys the walks he used to do in the neighborhood.

Dr. Annabelle Chow, lead clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology, said that the exhaustion a person experiences due to the effects of Covid-19 is a sign of pandemic fatigue.

“Pandemic fatigue describes a state of mind in which a prolonged and elevated state of fear and caution leads to a form of exhaustion. Although it is not classified as a mental disorder, the effects of pandemic fatigue are real and have an impact on those who suffer from it, ”he said.

Signs include a reduction in socializing with others; feeling restless, sad, helpless, unmotivated, and frustrated; being irritable and sensitive; and have a bad mood and energy, and insomnia.

Long-term concerns about a pandemic can affect mental and emotional health and can result in worsening mental health conditions and chronic health problems.

It can also lead to headaches, inability to concentrate, digestive problems, insomnia, and a weakened immune system, ultimately affecting a person’s overall daily functioning.

Ms Terri Chen, a senior clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the National University Hospital (NUH), said it is likely that people started feeling these effects in April when the circuit breaker was extended here.

The restrictions were a “drastic change” in people’s daily routine and lifestyle.

“Everyone had to adapt in a short time, and many people accepted these restrictions because they thought it was a short-term measure to combat the virus,” said Chen, NUH’s chief psychologist.

“But when the circuit breaker was extended and subsequent announcements were made on phase one and phase two, it was difficult for people to keep up, and even more so with no clear end in sight.”

Dr. Chow said that older people, children, caregivers, front-line workers, those who live alone or socially isolated, and those already struggling with depression and anxiety are at increased risk of pandemic fatigue.

Working adults have also been hit hard. Dr. Geraldine Tan, director and lead psychologist for The Therapy Room, began noticing signs of pandemic fatigue in her clients last month.

“The uncertainty of the labor market and the impending crisis depress them. The breaks they used to do abroad now don’t exist and the work they do has been a radical change for some, especially if they work from home, “he said.

“Every day it becomes more routine and mundane. The people of Singapore are very used to traveling and now it seems that we are imprisoned on our island ”.

For those who work or study from home, the frequent need to stay connected via video conferencing also contributes to fatigue.

People report feeling exhausted after virtual interactions, a phenomenon known as “zoom fatigue,” although it also applies to other video conferencing platforms such as Google Hangouts, Skype, or FaceTime.

Sng, who has been attending classes online since the end of April, said that he sometimes doesn’t turn on his webcam during lessons.

“I feel that the lack of physical presence makes me less responsible. I’ve put on 5 kg since the circuit breaker and I don’t want people to see me as a mess at home. I was also sick of looking at my own face on the screen. “

NUH’s Chen said it takes a lot of energy to pay attention to non-verbal communication, which is more difficult to capture in video conferencing.

“Multi-person screens place more demands on the brain than the need to process and decode all the information at once. Looking at your own face during meetings can also be stressful, ”she added.

One danger of pandemic fatigue is that people can lower their guard against the virus.

According to a Sunday Times survey of 1,000 people aged 16 and over, people in Singapore are getting tired of the rules to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

It showed that 44 percent of people are tired of following the necessary sanitary measures. These include having to wear a mask, registering with SafeEntry, limiting the size of physical gatherings with friends and family, and not being able to travel abroad.

Dr. Chow said that the constant barrage of Covid-19 news and advisories could actually be numbing and complacency may set in.

“Repeated exposure to news related to the pandemic will eventually diminish initial feelings of anxiety and caution. Consequently, we can begin to engage in behaviors that were initially inhibited by anxiety responses, such as not adhering to safe distancing rules or washing our hands as regularly as before, ”she said.

Habituation, the progressive decrease in response, such as feelings of anxiety, after repeated exposure to a stimulus, has made people less careful or aware of the precautions to take than they were at the beginning of the pandemic said Ms. Chen. .

“This means that over time, especially if we or someone we know does not contract Covid-19, we are likely to be less careful or aware of precautions, as there seems to be less need to maintain such levels of surveillance. ,” she said.

While it’s normal to let our guard down when we don’t see an end in sight, a reminder of the benefits of maintaining precautions and the consequences of not doing so would help people stay vigilant in fighting Covid-19, added Ms. Chen.

But musician Joe Chahal, 35, said he feels “extremely tired” of the situation despite complying with the measures.

“I find it difficult to breathe comfortably with a mask and I don’t feel like leaving my house because I have to wear it. There is also the hassle of constantly having to register at places with SafeEntry. There are long lines just to get into a mall or a store on weekends. “

For this reason, he hardly goes out and does not meet his friends much now.

Dr. Chow cautioned that social avoidance and distancing can make people feel isolated and alone, and can increase stress and anxiety.

Ms. Chen recommended that people seek help from a psychologist if they experience persistent anxiety, hopelessness, or sadness for more than two weeks, which in turn affects their performance and relationships.

While it is normal to feel tired in response to the pandemic, it is important to remember that “we are not alone in our struggles,” he said.

“This is a marathon and not a short sprint, so people need to manage their expectations and keep up with the pace to get to the finish,” he added.

“It is important to remind ourselves that we are doing the best we can in an unprecedented situation that we are all experiencing for the first time in our lives.”

Coping With Pandemic Fatigue

Ms Terri Chen, Head of Psychology and Senior Clinical Psychologist in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the National University Hospital, gives some advice

PLEASE NOTE: We cannot make changes if we are not aware of what is going on within us. When we are busy, it is easy to overlook emotions and behaviors that are warning signs for us. Practice awareness to take care of your mental health. Take the time to communicate with yourself every day. This can be as short as one minute a day to observe and describe to yourself what you are thinking and feeling inside.

BE CREATIVE: Many of the ways we use to recharge have been thwarted or affected by pandemic restrictions. Short breaks, for example, are no longer an option. Neither are large gatherings, which feed our innate social needs.

Being creative and being open to new ideas and experiences can help you cope in the meantime. For example, you can travel vicariously with friends by hosting a travel show “watching party” and making a fancy list of future travel plans together.

BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE: There are many things that are not under our control at the moment, which could make us feel angry and frustrated. This can cause criticism to be directed towards ourselves or others, which can worsen our mood.

Show kindness to yourself or others through one act a day. Research has shown that this can help us feel happier, and it also boosts our immune system and energy levels.

BE PATIENT: We don’t know when the coronavirus pandemic will end, and it’s hard to be patient with security restrictions indefinitely. Leave room for emotions, as it is impossible to think logically 100% of the time.

Try the “five, four, three, two, one” technique to relax: Look around you and name them out loud when you notice them: five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things that you can smell and one thing you can taste.

BE EFFECTIVE: There are many tips and advice on how to cope with the pandemic, like practicing mindfulness or exercising, and it can be overwhelming and exhausting trying many things at once.

It is more effective to identify which need (physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual) is most urgent and to try one technique at a time to see if it helps.

TALK TO SOMEONE: Seek help if you notice signs of pandemic fatigue.

Talking to a professional or someone you trust, making them listen to what’s going on, and getting support can help regulate emotions and reduce stress.

For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.

What you need to know about the coronavirus.

For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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