More And More People Have ‘Lifestyle Fatigue.’ Maybe You Do, Too.
Despite the fact that we have been vaccinated with the New Crown vaccine and upgraded booster shots, the world situation is still very different (and often worrisome) than it was prior to the outbreak.
This can cause a sense of discomfort which is “lifestyle fatigue.”Lifestyle fatigue can be summed up as “feeling stuck in a rut” – and who hasn’t felt at least a little stuck in a rut at some point in recent years?
Lifestyle fatigue is not a clinical diagnosis of any kind.You don’t go to a psychologist and get a diagnosis of lifestyle fatigue.
This concept is related to “feeling unwell, feeling depressed or feeling tired”, all of which are part of the larger field of mental health research.
Now this feeling is normal, and sad days are a part of life. However, there are some warning signs that may indicate you may be dealing with something bigger.
Lifestyle fatigue may be associated with symptoms of depression.
The description of lifestyle fatigue is similar to the clinical symptom of pleasure deficit disorder, which is the inability to feel pleasure.
While this is a symptom of depression, experiencing a lack of pleasure does not necessarily mean you are suffering from depression.
There are many reasons for lack of pleasure or life fatigue.One of these is rarely engaging in enjoyable or productive activities.This can lead to feelings of boredom, sadness or fatigue.
We did go through a very long period of this during the New Crown epidemic.This is due to the (very necessary!)restrictions that mean we can’t participate in many activities and social interactions.
Even if we are not extroverts, we still desire to socialize.Socializing does give us pleasure.
Even now that restrictions have been lifted and people are vaccinated, we still face difficult decisions when considering the risks of certain activities.Our overall lives may also be different: our friendships are changing, perhaps reducing the space for social interaction.Our workplaces are more strenuous or demanding, leading many to take less pleasure in their careers.All of this takes its toll.
This can also be related to emotional exhaustion.
Society feels emotionally exhausted because of what’s going on in our lives – the epidemic, in addition to the other stressful life events we’re experiencing.
When experiencing emotional exhaustion, you lack the energy to do things, lack the motivation, and find that there are things you feel you should be doing that you no longer have the desire to do.
In other words, you’re exhausted and don’t want to do something that feels normal in 2019, whether it’s going to the grocery store or having a drink with a friend.
Over time, I have found in my practice that people report that they try to force themselves to do things, but the fun is no longer what it once was.
Life is more fragmented than ever (like waking up and logging on to the computer), there is more isolation from loved ones than before the epidemic, and any kind of living arrangement-such as plans, chores, or face-to-face meetings-can feel likean unnecessary responsibility.
Your fight-flight-freeze response may have been active for too long, leading to grief.
The epidemic has activated the “fight-flight-freeze” response, which is the likely reaction to a known threat.
When our fight-flight-freeze response lasts for a long time, our bodies naturally begin to show some symptoms of depression.
These medications can wear you out so you can get more sleep and recover from the stress response.
This is the body’s way of trying to return to normal, but as the epidemic continues to spread around us, these “fight-flight-freeze” reactions are still reacting to stress.As a result, instead of returning to normal, your body will experience recurring symptoms of depression as it tries to rest.
While lifestyle fatigue is not depression in all cases, it can be in some cases.
It’s normal to feel sad or lost once in a while, but if you feel tired or depressed most of the time on most days for at least two weeks, this may be cause for concern.This is when you should contact your doctor or therapist.
Many people blame these emotions on burnout – a term that is very popular right now.But chronic low mood can be a more serious symptom than burnout, which is often more work-related and stems from chronic stress.
It’s normal to feel this way.
After the emergence of multiple new variants of COVID-19, the politicization of public safety protocols, and sometimes extreme fear of contracting the virus or transmitting it to loved ones, it’s normal to feel different than you did before the outbreak.
Much of this exhaustion or lifestyle fatigue may be due to the feeling that the epidemic has robbed some people of their sense of identity.
Avid travelers may now be less inclined to fly, or if they do go on a trip, they may worry about getting sick and having their plans canceled while abroad.Similarly, people who once considered themselves outgoing may have a hard time making small talk or meeting new people.In the world we live in now, it’s hard to be who you are in 2019.It’s exhausting.
Social media has made this so much harder.People are inundated with photos of happiness, and when you’re having a tough day, seeing those photos can make you feel bad.
They say comparison is the thief of joy, and I think there’s truth to that.But remember “What you see on social media is everyone’s best day.”Other people aren’t posting their bad moments or bad nights.
Certain activities can help you feel better.
Adding a few productive and enjoyable activities during the week can help alleviate feelings of life fatigue.Since many people are exhausted by the intertwining of work and family life, productive activities don’t have to be centered around work.
Things that can be productive include exercise – such as running farther than you did two weeks ago – or learning a language.Both can give you a sense of accomplishment if you’re depressed.
Enjoyable activities can include visiting friends, playing online video games with family or calling loved ones.
For those who feel unmotivated or lacking pleasure, I suggests focusing on self-care, including getting a good night’s sleep.If you’re a parent, set aside time for yourself.If you’re caring for an aging parent, try taking a walk alone or using a meditation app.Self-care should include enjoyable activities just for you.
That said, it may seem hard to go out for a walk or visit a friend when you’re feeling this way.But once you engage in something you enjoy, you may notice that you’re actually happy doing it.In addition, you should be proud of yourself for drumming up the motivation to try this activity.
However, if you don’t notice any change in your mood while participating in a once enjoyable activity, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor or therapist for help.There’s a lot going on in the world, and if you need someone to talk to or need a little extra help right now, that’s acceptable.