5 Reasons We're All Stressed and Burnt Out
As we near the end of January 2022, I think back to the beginning of Covid-19 in March 2020. Unbeknownst to any of us, almost two years later we’d still be stuck in a global pandemic.
Nothing could have prepared me for what lay ahead: a marathon of trying to juggle the synchronized demands of work life, home life, and school life.
I’m exhausted.
And I’m not alone.
Burnout continues to be a major side-effect of COVID-19, and it’s not the kind of burnout we normally associate with lengthy commutes, back-to-back appointments, or late hours at the office.
It’s a new type of burnout that’s less “hustle and bustle” and more of a mental exercise that we never trained for. A relentless routine — “Groundhog Day” has become a popular metaphor to describe the monotony we’ve settled into — that is testing our psychological stamina and resolve.
Almost two years into pandemic life and many of us are just feeling…done.
What is behind our burnout?
With everyone experiencing this pandemic differently depending on their personal and professional circumstances, it’s impossible to summarize all the potential reasons people are feeling flat-out drained right now.
But if you’re looking to understand why you’re feeling so utterly worn out these days, the below explanations could be a start:
Our Escapes are Gone:
A useful technique for decompressing under normal circumstances is to do something completely unrelated to your daily grind. But as we know, physical distancing protocols have limited our access to many of those “escapes” — like the gym, for example —that we’d normally turn to as a way to let off steam. Being unable to disconnect in our usual ways can lead to increased feelings of exhaustion and burnout.
Decision Fatigue:
Who thought a trip to the grocery store could be fraught with so much doubt? But that’s today’s reality as we grapple with the many unknowns of going out. Is it safe to travel? Should I wear gloves to handle the gas pump? Am I comfortable making plans with other people? These judgments that were once automatic now feel weighty beyond belief. “Decision fatigue” is real and it’s wearing us down.
Too Many Hats:
If you find yourself making breakfast and assisting with math homework all while feeding the dog and partaking in a conference call, you’re not alone. The pandemic has turned many of us into full-time multitaskers responsible for juggling the simultaneous schedules of work and home. It’s one thing to wear different hats during the day, but quite another to wear them all at once.
No Days Off:
Normally if you’re feeling burned out, you can explore the option of a vacation or personal day to rest and recharge. Unfortunately, pandemics don’t take time off so guess what? Neither do you. Being unable to take a break from this COVID reality is one of the most tiring parts of all. No ‘out of office’ replies here.
An Unknown Target:
Humans thrive on predictability and without it we get anxious and stressed. Unfortunately for us, there’s been nothing predictable about when (or if) life will get back to normal. For parents of young kids, one of the biggest unknowns of this pandemic relates to school: will kids be staying in class or will distance learning be mandated again? It’s hard to pace yourself without a finish line.
Final Thoughts
There is no shortage of explanations for the burnout many of us are feeling right now. In my next post, I’ll elaborate on some common signs of burnout and share tips for how to manage through this tiring and trying time. In the meantime, if you are needing more support, feel free to reach out to Midtown Toronto Therapy. Our team is ready to offer you a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’d be a good fit.
