covid fatigue
Navy & Sage

Dealing with COVID Fatigue in the Workplace

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There’s no doubt about it, the year 2020 certainly came with it’s set of challenges for everyone. When the pandemic started, many lives were altered in drastic ways causing an upsurge of stress, uncertainty and instability. With businesses closing down, case numbers rising and face masks and social distancing becoming the new normal, stress and anxiety has also become a new norm. 

Having so much change and uncertainty lingering in the air, it’s no wonder that COVID fatigue has become a concerning issue among many people in the workplace. In this article, we’ll discuss the implications the pandemic has had on our nervous systems and how to cope with the constant changes we are being faced with on the day to day. 

COVID fatigue is a natural response to what has felt like a long and drawn out crisis. Our bodies have become wired to a fight or flight response with little recuperation time to complete the stress cycle. This fatigue has become especially prevalent in the workplace. In addition to back to work plans and remote working, they’ve become reconditioned to always be “on” in every situation. 

So how do you spot COVID fatigue within yourself? There are several signs that you can watch out for if you are starting to feel some of the burn. Here are just a few sure signs that you may be experiencing some fatigue: 

  • Difficulty concentrating or a general feeling of restlessness and anxiety 
  • A feeling of being “lax” in observing public health measures. This includes hand washing, social distancing etc. 
  • Having trouble sleeping or staying asleep
  • Experiencing low appetite 
  • Feeling checked out of your job or lacking professional efficacy
  • Questioning whether you’re experiencing burn out 
  • A general lack of interest in hobbies and passions 

How to cope with the symptoms of COVID fatigue.

As humans, we need to rest and recharge! It’s simply not sustainable to be faced with so many unprecedented changes and pivots without the proper rest in between to be able to handle that stress. Oftentimes when someone is feeling burnout, it can feel incredibly overwhelming to make those changes required for their mental and physical wellbeing. Fatigue has a funny way of making the body simply say “no” and when that happens it can feel like your world is closing in. But there are always small, simple solutions you can implement in your day to day. If you’re experiencing some of the above signs of fatigue, consider adding some of these best practices to your daily routine: 

  • Take time in between shifts for napping – even a 30 minute nap can make a big difference!
  • Create boundaries around your work schedule – this can look like prioritizing your Zoom meetings in the morning so you have the afternoon free from the screen.
  • Make space for enjoyable activities throughout your day. Taking a 15 minute break to unplug and get outside can be a wonderful way to reset the mind.
  • Use a buddy system! Sometimes it can be difficult to identify when you are experiencing burnout. It can be helpful to set up a system with co-worker where you can each hold each other accountable to cope with the demands of the job.
  • Practice taking on meditation as a practice. Even something as simple as 5 minutes a day to check in with your breath can work wonders on your body’s ability to handle stress.
  • Create a healthy bed-time routine. This can look like turning off all electronics by a certain time, reducing alcohol or caffeine and going to bed at a certain time each night. 7-9 hours is always a healthy amount of sleep to aim for. 

How your employer can help.

It’s important that workplaces recognize the severity and reality of increased fatigue due to the pandemic’s impact. If you are an employer or business owner at this time, consider creating a culture that’s based on safety, understanding and communication in the workplace. 

The last thing an employee likely wants to feel is fear surrounding their performance or exhaustion. It’s important that they know there are resources available, and that they know their options when it comes to reporting any work absences. In addition to employee resources, it can also be valuable to build out appropriate systems in the workplace that allow employees to feel relieved of certain tasks when it’s getting to be too much. Ultimately, the more space you can build into your systems, the less fires will need to be put out and your employees can remain happy and healthy in the workplace!

It’s time to feel awake again!

While there isn’t really a one size fits all model for coping with the stressors of life inside this pandemic, there are solutions when it comes to spotting the signs and preventing extreme fatigue. If you have been struggling with symptoms of COVID fatigue in the workplace, know that there is support available and you don’t have to be in it alone. 

Reach out to your employer, build out a plan and take the steps that you need in order to achieve a rested mind and body. 

If you’re an Employer, please reach out to us if you are looking for some additional resources on managing stress and dealing with burnout to share with your team.