So, you had a good night’s sleep, but you can’t get yourself out of bed in the morning. Come to think of it, I think I burn about 1,000 calories every time I try to put a fitted sheet back on my bed. Listen, there are many theories about why humans even need to sleep, but we’re pretty sure it’s to charge our phones.
You may feel mentally exhausted and find it hard to focus, as of late. Since the mandatory lockdowns, the overwhelming majority of people admit to feelings of apathy, severe tiredness, anger, or annoyance. Others have developed a quick temper. Please try to cultivate the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper, or your self-confidence.
We have all undergone long-term stress, and frankly you may feel mentally drained, not to mention emotionally exhausted. You might feel worn out from fighting with family or loved ones over dissenting views. Are you angry, feeling as though you have no power or control over what happens to you in your life?
This incessant fear-peddling has caused a great deal of damage to our mental health, my friends. Perhaps you feel more irritable than usual. You may be experiencing apathy or pessimism. Is it more difficult to concentrate, as of late? You’re not sleeping well any longer? You know which part I like about waking up early? None. Let me go back to sleep. But symptoms have a way of sneaking up on us.
We all have stressors in our lives: raising children, financial woes, or intense demands at school, just to name a few. Speaking of kids, remember those childhood injuries? You fell off your bike, fell out of a tree and twisted your ankle. Now we get adult injuries: You slept wrong, sat down too long or sneezed too hard. Sheesh. Y’all know that parenthood is wanting to be with your kids forever one minute, and being tempted to sell them the next.
The difference between these pressures and the media’s relentless assault on you is that this unending intimidation causes chronic stress, strain, and uncertainty. Your brain and body remain on high alert all of the time. Add this to the juggling act you do with daily commitments. The incessant negative messages not only cause emotional fatigue, but they make it virtually impossible for you to relax.
You may literally feel like your gas tank is empty. You know that Tom Brady has decided to un-retire after filling up at the gas station. The way gas prices are rising, eventually it will be cheaper to just hire people to push your car. But seriously, we must make some adjustments to our daily routine and habits to avoid burnout.
Start by purging that stressor out of your life. Turn off the menacing media with their unending calls for “safety.” Increase your happy hormones, endorphins and serotonin, with any physical movement. Try something new. Distract yourself. Immerse yourself in a book or movie.
Don’t let technology surpass your humanity. Join up with your friends, face to face, please. Trust me, you’re not using “tech.” It’s using you. Phones were meant to improve your life – not become your life. You know what they say: Computers may make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make easier to do, don’t need to be done.
Tackle the mess in your house and give yourself some breathing room. It’s been said: “External clutter is internal clutter on display.” And anyway, you don’t know what you have until you clean your room. Nine times out of ten, when I lose something, it’s because I put it away.
Please do not allow yourself to become cynical. Worrying all day can make your daily life distressing and even depleting. Do not strut around with a persistent feeling that you may get sick or that something bad may happen. Look at it this way: You never truly appreciate how nice it is to be able to breathe through your nose until you get a cold. Then again, you may just be suffering from a lack of Vitamin “Me.” Oh, you’re taking a sick day because you’re sick of people? I get it.
But truly, just put down the remote, sweet friends, and get outdoors. Even the strongest shoulders can carry just so much. Keep up all your immune boosting strategies and you’re good to go. If you don’t think you have time for a break, trust me, you need one. Oh, and by the way, you’re doing better than you think.
Caroline is a licensed psychotherapist, crisis counselor, and writer with an office in Queens. She works with individuals, couples, and families. Appointments are available throughout the week and weekends. She can be reached at 917-717-1775 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at facebook.com/pages/Safe-Haven-Healing.
