What's Your QR (Quarantine Related) Health Status?

No doubt about it, quarantine is affecting our health.  There is so much to consider in such a discussion that it is impossible to wrap our heads around everything.  I wouldn't even want to try.  However, over the course of the last two months, I have definitely noticed some... shall we say, symptoms, that simply must be quarantine related.  I mean, I'm not always such a mess.  Am I?

I'll try to explain.  

Quarantine Related Fatigue Syndrome

Ex. Aw. Sted.  All the time.  Tired, aaallll the time, every single day.  Definitely tired in the morning, but come the end of the day, I got nothin'.  Yes, I get up way too early, but, honestly, you wouldn't look at my daily routine and think, "gosh, she's gotta be beat by the end of the day!" But I am.  And I know you all are too.  The thing is, you may think that the "slower pace" of quarantine - no social events, no extra-curricular activities, no mom-taxi driving, no salon appointments (I know, I know, that's another whole story...) - would leave you feeling well rested.  Not so.  It's that underlying level of stress that impacts everything - the loss of social interaction and loneliness, the loss of income, loss of routine, worry and anxiety about loved ones and anxiety about the virus itself.  For me, at least, I believe the fatigue comes from the drastic change in routine and priorities, and of course, making sure all my people are OK. The balancing acts, and keeping all the plates spinning.  Tired.

Quarantine Related Memory Degeneration Syndrome.

You'd think that with seemingly less to remember (back to the "slower pace" scenario), the short term memory would be untouched.  Maybe even improved.  Nope.  I can't remember a dang thing.  I need to write it all down. If it's not on paper, it's not getting remembered. What was it you told me earlier?... Did I ever order that thing from Amazon?... Did I reschedule that doctor appointment?... What's your name again?...Whose Zoom am I hopping on to today?... Thank goodness for Google Calendar who sends me reminders without even being asked.   Again, it's the dramatic change in routine and lifestyle, and the quiet, seething stress, that has done quite the number on my brain. 

Quarantine Related Attention Deficiency Syndrome. 

This is The Big One. You know how when you start doing something and then you notice something else, so you start doing that? And then you never go back to finish the first thing, and then you think you've done everything, so you sit down to check emails, and the unopened email reminds you of the task you never finished three hours ago?  And then you decide you'll just have a cup of coffee first, so you have coffee, and cruise the web, and then that dang thing never gets done? That is me with every single task right now.  Whether it's household chores, work tasks, or calling my mother, I'm struggling to maintain focus long enough to complete almost anything.  Even though I feel like there should be fewer details to attend to, my mind is clearly overwhelmed by details...?

Quarantine Related Heightened Emotional Sensitivity Syndrome.

This one is a little bonus, and excuse me, gentlemen, but it feels a lot like PMS to me.  No matter how well I think I'm handling all of this change, it only takes the smallest of things to literally break my heart.  At any given moment, I'm teetering on the edge of an emotional descent.  I will blame this on the same stress that bubbles below the surface of my consciousness, as well as the grief that I feel, consciously or not, over the losses - loss of social interaction, loss of my work routine, loss of recreational opportunities, loss of interaction with my students...  It's important to keep in mind, here, that in addition to any fear or worry that we may be feeling, there is loss, grief, and sadness, none of which should be overlooked. 

So...

While I may seem to be making light of these symptoms, that is not really my intent.  Having talked to many family members and friends over the course of the last two months, I know that these are common experiences for many of us.  I have definitely considered the possibility that I may be losing my mind entirely, but the reality of it is that we will all experience these same symptoms from time to time, if we don't experience them a lot.  I think that it's essential that we maintain awareness of them, and that we take steps to cope when necessary. 

For example...

When I feel the exhaustion, I rest.  I may not get to sleep, but I sit and take a load off for a while.  The load is not necessarily physical, it's mental and emotional.  Rest may be a nap, or a 5 minute meditation,  some mindless phone scrolling, or a chapter in a good book. Rest.  As mentioned, to adapt to my failing memory, I write things down and create lists.  This has led to a surplus of notes on my phone app, but so be it.  At least I know where to find my reminders. The attention one is harder to manage.  I sort of just have to roll with it, and forgive myself for getting off task.  Nothing is so important that it can't be finished later.  Everything is figureoutable.  And finally, the feels.  Man, I just give myself permission to feel them.  If I'm sad, I'm sad.  I'll spend some time allowing myself to feel sad, and then I spend some time using my healers... running, nature, music.  Just remember, it's OK to be you, it's OK to be imperfect, it's OK to have bad days, it's OK (and necessary) to step aside from the responsibilities in order to take care of yourself.  And, your healers are your own.  It doesn't matter what heals you, as long as you have things that heal you, and that you take the time to use them.

  

Take care of you.