Stress

A quick post for today because I am behind in my to-do list, and I am tired. But then, it seems like I’m not the only one. There are numerous articles on burnout, the Great Resignation (or maybe it’s now the Great Reshuffling), mental health care, etc. Yes, everybody is stressed out, anxious and depressed and that’s not surprising. A pandemic is, hopefully, a once in a lifetime event that I hope those living today never have to go through again.

There are unique stressors during a pandemic: how does one keep oneself and loved ones safe, how does one conduct life as normal as possible, and with each change in the coronavirus, how does one adjust to the infectiousness and severity of the virus? Do I wear a mask, do I get vaccinated, do I go inside stores? Grocery shopping becomes a stressful event, but you need to eat.

Then there is the social play out of people’s response to the health restrictions and requirements. Not everybody wants to wear masks so what do you do when you have to deal with two groups of people: the masked and unmasked. the vaccinated and the unvaccinated.

Layer on top of all of those worrisome fears, we have other stressors: climate change, social unrest, wealth inequality, economic distress, inflation, and articles telling how our democracy is in danger of failing. The daily news about what transpired last year during the election is very stressful.

People are tired and want to be done with the virus. I know I am fervently looking forward to the day when we can no longer worry about the pandemic. We are not there yet, although many people are acting like the pandemic is gone. (Sarah Palin is walking around in New York, going to restaurants, unmasked, even though she tested positive for the virus. She doesn’t have the grit to do the right thing which is to stay home – or in the hotel room).

Vox has an article outlining the stress our nation is going through and offers some solutions to bring us cheer or rest.

Me, I just want to sleep. I have some major things that I have to do and I’m dragging my feet. I just don’t feel like doing anything. I still exercise although the cold weather is making it hard to even begin doing my exercise, but I’m getting that done. I’m barely able to get these blog posts done but I am squeaking through.

I just hope that this year, the pandemic dies.