As the awful pandemic hit, our day-to-day realities were snatched before us. Uncertainties on uncertainties took place and our typical lives, in an instant, were altered. During the beginning of the pandemic, the hustle and bustle of the streets toned down. Only a breeze of fear and incertitude pervaded, topped off with the curiosity of many as to when this unpredictable tragedy will come to meet its end. The daily commute of going to work was replaced by the safe and sound clicking of today’s most prevalent work-from-home set-up. Even children to teens were subjected to continue life from the comfort of their homes. While the work-from-home setup may provide convenience, all the other factors turn to a negative side that often weigh down both individuals’ emotional and mental state.
One big factor that results in the mental deterioration of many is the lockdown fatigue members of the family experience. As a family, being stuck together has its fair share of pros and cons. The idea of togetherness may look healthy and an ideal trait a family must possess, too much of it, especially during lockdown may be the cause of lockdown fatigue.
Lockdown fatigue refers to the feeling of apathy or the lack of enthusiasm and energy due to the emergence of a lockdown. In the Philippines where quarantine has still not ended since the beginning of the pandemic, it is no question that many people experience the despondent feeling of lockdown fatigue.
As a family, getting through lockdown fatigue is as challenging as it gets. With burnout from school, work, or just having to deal with everyday problems, surpassing lockdown fatigue gets harder and harder. While it’s a challenge for each and everyone, a family’s love can help alleviate the burnout of being in lockdown. Here are some tips on how to deal with lockdown fatigue as a family.
Provide Extra Care
From parents to children down to teens, no one is a stranger when it comes to feeling burned out due to what seems like a never-ending lockdown. Some family members may feel estranged and may have a hard time coping up with the recent events. It is important to remind ourselves that we have the responsibility to be of help. As we all experience the exhilarating mental effects the pandemic has brought us, we must also be reminded that it is not better for any one of us. The simple act of being understanding of our family members’ mental situation goes a long way. This small step is the gateway to many positive outcomes. All good things root in understanding. Once someone’s primary goal is to understand, empathize, and care, the course of action is always intending to contribute to the betterment of others and as well as themselves.
Maintain A Routine As A Family
What a lot of people suffer from because of the pandemic is the lack of normalcy. Everyone’s standard mode of living was abruptly put to an end and replaced by one that absences the common familiarity. Because of this abrupt change, it has also been a cause as to why there’s a tendency to feel out of place and feel distressed. Developing a routine as a family may provide a big help as it helps with organization and thus promotes a regular patterned way of living, much like the pre-pandemic era, where there is a certain time to wake up, get to school, get home, and start doing other tasks. In a sense, following daily routines help build structure as individuals and as a family. As the world gets out of control, having structure provides a sense of stability. Even the mere fact of planning out what time to eat during breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a scheduled snack time contributes to having an established structure.
Listen to One Another
Being able to lend an ear is a gesture that has been overlooked but still remains a very powerful act of kindness. Listening to family members’ sentiments often creates a solid connection between one another. This connection builds trust and establishes just a subtle amount of codependency that supports each other to get by. Having an open mind and an open heart when listening to problems or simple chit-chats is the best way to have a go at listening. Making family members feel like they are being heard takes away an enormous amount of stress induced by the pandemic. In times of trials and uncertainty, the ideal way to go about it is to destress and focus on the good. While some find that a bit of a challenge, given the chaos the entire world is in, being able to let out your thoughts and having someone that listens is a cathartic way of releasing pent-up emotions and stress.
Encourage Each Other’s Physical Fitness
Exercising this pandemic has been a bandwagon since the first lockdown took place. However, aside from it being everyone’s go-to de-stressor, maintaining a healthy body is not only limited to the physical physique. Exercising is also beneficial to the overall mental and emotional health of an individual. Studies show that maintaining an active physical lifestyle reduces stress and anxiety. While it tones the body, gets rid of toxins and waste, exercising can also be an outlet to some. Since engaging in physical activity brings short-term and long-term benefits for one’s mood, a lot has resorted to exercising as a way to keep themselves busy and productive and away from all bad thoughts.
As a family, encouraging one another to keep their fitness in check is something that should often be done. Having family workout sessions is an activity that tightens the family ties, ensures the physical health of family members, and decreases anxiety and stress. Multiple families have resorted to either workout as a family, or workout on their own with the help of a little motivation from one another. As these trying times continue on, we must remember that above all things in the world, health is something we should not take for granted, whether it be physical or mental health.
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