Confinement Fatigue: What It Is And How It Affects Us
Confinement fatigue is one of those forms of discomfort that has arisen as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. and other similar situations that last for weeks or months.
In this article we will see what it consists of, what its main causes are, and what to do about this problem that affects us emotionally, physically and socially.
Confinement fatigue is a set of feelings and emotions associated with the lifestyle fostered by total or partial confinement. In general, it constitutes a form of psychological exhaustion, and while it lasts, the person who develops it feels discomfort. It “exhausts” us emotionally, with a mixture of stress and low mood similar to what occurs in burnout syndrome.
In the case of the COVID-19 crisis, this psychological phenomenon has been able to affect many people, given that for many months we have been subjected to the need to minimize our movements, with all that this implies for our lifestyle and way of socializing.
Causes of stress in confinement fatigue
These are the main sources of discomfort associated with confinement fatigue
1. Lack of incentives
Some people, especially those unfamiliar with the use of computers and other electronic devices connected to the Internet, may settle into a state of chronic boredom caused by the monotony of the stimuli to which they are exposed.
By not being able to leave home, they are limited in the variety of experiences they can engage in in their free time, and this is capable of leading to apathy : a mentality is generated according to which it no longer makes sense to look for interesting activities.
The fact of having remained for months in a state of relative social isolation, without being able to interact face to face with some friends, family and acquaintances, brings out a feeling of lack of mutual support network. This feeling of loneliness becomes transformed into negative emotions linked to anxiety and a depressed mood. At the same time, it can be very hard for more extroverted people.
3. Physical inactivity
Although our species is not characterized by being very agile compared to the rest of the animals, it is still true that the human body is made to move; Our body has evolved based on a lifestyle of direct contact with nature, which is what has predominated in our daily lives for hundreds of thousands of years.
Therefore, spending a season without barely moving affects us not only physically, but also psychologically. And the line that separates the body from the mind is, deep down, an illusion. Thus The way we interact with the environment conditions how we feel and how we tend to think.
In the case of confinement fatigue, the discomfort of barely adopting two or three postures throughout the day, not stretching the joints and leaving large muscle groups without use (such as those of the buttocks, which remain still and pressed while we are sitting) exposes us to anxiety, because we perceive ourselves as more vulnerable and physical wear and tear causes the body to mobilize fewer resources to ensure proper functioning of the brain.
To do?
In the face of confinement fatigue, it is important to have psychological assistance; In this way, you can count on a professional who will attend to the case in a personalized way and offer tailored solutions, taking into account the characteristics of the individual and the context in which they live. In addition, these sessions can be carried out remotely through video call platforms, so there is no risk of contagion and complete confidentiality is also maintained.
If you are considering going to a psychologist to overcome confinement fatigue or any other form of emotional discomfort, Get in touch with me. I am a psychologist who is an expert in the cognitive-behavioral model and I provide care both in my office in Madrid and online.
