Lighthouse Beach on a windy Monday. Sanibel Island, Fla. 2/1/21 Paul Goldfinger photo ©

By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor at Blogfinger.net

The fishing pier was uninhabitable today on Sanibel, but some folks were walking or relaxing on the beach. The signs insisted on distancing and not masking. Most wore no masks, but that is understandable at this windy place.  You need to keep busy to combat “COVID fatigue.”  And “maintain hope.”   See below from the American Medical Association.

Doctors at the AMA have been reporting on “pandemic (COVID) fatigue.” They describe the syndrome as “You’re tired in your soul–emotionally, psychologically, socially, spiritually, your are just tired and not motivated. To get out of that fatigue, maintain hope that things will get better.”

To summarize their recommendations:

a.  Recognize the signs of COVID fatigue.  See above. They say that “being excessively tired despite adequate rest. Even if you are getting eight hours, you just feel like your dragging through the day and it’s hard to find pearls in the mud.”   And, “if you have increased isolation from loved ones, co-workers and people who you used to have bonds with, burnout and fatigue can make you feel like those things aren’t really worth it anymore”

b.  Seek mental health care

c. Find ways to have community–to stay connected. Seek electronic solutions—ZOOM?
d. Maintain hope. This helps combat the fatigue.

e. Create a schedule--try to maintain some routines

f. Focus on what you can control–eg a fitness routine

g, Practice positive affirmation.  Think of all the good things you are doing and remember things that we should still be grateful for.

h. Set boundaries for social media.  Limit social media.  Those sites can be negative.  Find sources that provide hope.

i. Continue to follow anti-viral preventive measures even if you have been vaccinated.

They recommend that we experience some sort of change in our daily routine. These people at the beach are doing just that. Despite high winds today, there were people there. Take a ride every other day to some special place.

Try to keep your spirits up  (kvetch-not)  and think of happy things to do together. An example would be an exercise program. And think positive–think about the good things which you are doing; don’t move towards the negative.

Couples can take up cooking—together. Look up Eileen’s recipes on Blogfinger.  Our friends take two hour road trips all over New Jersey, 4 days per week.

—Paul     Let us know if you have other ideas.      Click on comments or email Blogfinger@verizon.net  Tell us if you want a pseudonym, but Dr. Oz is taken as is Dr. Goldfinger.

LADY ANTEBELLUM: