Commit to good habits

Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi

While many are suffering from pandemic fatigue, experts are urging us to keep up with coronavirus precautions and seek mental health support if necessary

WE’VE been living with the coronavirus for months, and the spread of Covid-19 is still going strong in many areas around South Africa and the world. As the pandemic wears on, it’s understandable that some people are getting tired of taking coronavirus precautions

Trying to adhere to anything extra is always a challenge.

John Hopkins Medicine and Psychologist Carisa Parrish says you can add extra steps to your routine for a few days, but sustained behavior change is hard.

“Especially when no one around you is sick, and you just don’t feel like wearing a mask or saying no to things you like to do. But the fact is, the precautions work,” she says.

“Right now, most people are still removed from the consequences of getting Covid-19,” Parrish explains. “The risk might not feel real to them if they don’t know anyone who’s sick with Covid-19. ”

“Unfortunately, some people get a bit of a thrill from doing something risky and escaping consequences.”

However, she says, accepting this new reality and staying committed to good habits can prevent Covid19.

Gweneth Francis, a Piedmont infectious disease physician says: “it’s been so long since we’ve been able to do normal things, like go out to eat without the fear of Covid-19 or have playdates without the fear of our kids getting sick. We’re having to wear a mask and do things we haven’t done before.”

Francis says the following are signs of pandemic fatigue, collectively and individually:

• A decline in compliance with mask-wearing and social distancing.

• Having anxiety if you even briefly pass by someone who isn’t wearing a mask.

• Feeling tired even after getting enough sleep.

• Lack of motivation or feeling like you don’t have a sense of purpose.

• Snapping at loved ones.

• Feeling depressed and isolated.

Francis recommends taking some time to reflect on your mental health. Given what we’ve experienced, it is normal to need mental health support right now. Getting support can help you find healthy ways to cope with stress, anxiety, fear and depression.

“Consider if you need to reach out to your physician, a counsellor or a loved one to help you through,” she says.

The most important thing is not to give up. The coronavirus pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon. Preventive practices are needed until there is some kind of “normality”, which could be months away.

DON’T stop taking precautions. | MARCELO CHAGAS Pexels