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THE COVID-19 pandemic has been part of the world’s everyday reality for well over two years now and, as it wears on, some may still be experiencing prolonged “pandemic fatigue”.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines pandemic fatigue as “feeling demotivated about following recommended behaviours to protect ourselves and others from the virus”.
South Africa has had low Covid-19 case numbers for most of 2022 and restrictions have been eased and the State of Disaster scrapped. A Social Listening report from the Department of Health found that many citizens have expressed their exhaustion from the pandemic.
“The sentiment is that the virus is now very weak and Covid is over. There is questioning why we are still prioritising Covid,” read the report.
Clinical psychologist Cheryl Sol says that fatigue after any prolonged and relentless life event is common.
“Our brains and bodies are well designed for coping with stress, anxiety and unpredictable events over the short term. We have been in fight, flight or freeze mode for two years and what helps over the short term starts to deplete over time.
“People eventually start to either overreact or shut down. The way people start to manage or handle day to day frustrations can be with less and less tolerance and become more over-reactive,” she said.
Sol, who has been a registered psychologist for 25 years, says that repair is a long-term thing.
“The brain needs time to rebuild, to rest and repair while at the same time managing the challenges of everyday life.”
Here are Sol’s tips on how to take care of yourself amid an ongoing pandemic.