Pandemic frustration: 6 ways to keep sane as the Covid-19 crisis carries on

The second wave of the pandemic has struck us hard—after all, it has hit close to home. While we may get solace in knowing that we aren’t alone, it is still not easy to deal with a global health crisis of this magnitude. Covid-19 has upended our life in so many ways, and while we are thankful to be alive, there is an inherent frustration within us. 

The frustration of dealing with uncertainty and not being able to socialize is real, and rightly so. There are a range of emotions we are experiencing at this point, be it anger or irritability, and it is way more common than you think. When these emotions take over us, they are bound to make us feel anxious and overwhelmed at the same time. 

There are some people who respond quickly to change, while others take far too long. But let this frustration not become deep-seated, because it will be a struggle to get rid of it. That doesn’t mean you can’t feel all the emotions—but acknowledge them and move. The more you harp on them, the more pronounced they will feel. 

Now that we’ve addressed these pertinent points, it’s time to speak about the solution. What are some of the ways in which you can not let it get to you? Ready to find out?

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1. Be gentle on yourself

You may think that you’ve been taking care of yourself, but if you find yourself feeling irritable or frustrated all the time, then maybe you need to pay some extra attention to your needs. If you think watching a film or talking to a friend makes you feel better, go ahead and do it. Yes, we are in the middle of a pandemic and the situation is grave, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing the things you love. 

2. Get adequate sleep

We might think that there’s something internal that is bothering us, and make us feel this frustrated. But guess what? The cause could be as simple as sleep deprivation. Adequate sleep is essential for our functioning, and when you don’t get it, you tend to feel more irritable and emotional. Getting enough rest is the key to everything; that’s how you can achieve balance. 

3. Focus on surviving, not thriving

If you think you can be at your productive best, please lower your expectations. Yes, we all have our personal and professional commitments, but it is absolutely okay to slacken on and off. That’s what makes us humans, right? So, try and do all the things that are possible for you, instead of blaming yourself for things that you couldn’t manage to strike off. 

4. Develop a routine

Having a routine is always helpful and can help you feel so much better. There are times when we feel disconnected and irritable, just because things are not in our control. Thankfully, when you develop a routine and add some structure to your day, these feelings will slowly begin to disappear. Try it out and you will see a huge difference. 

5. Assess and figure if you need to change something

It could be that you have stopped doing the things you love, and maybe that’s why the frustration is getting to you. Or maybe you need a break from work and need to spend time in your own company. The reasons are innumerable — what you must understand is that you need to identify the stressors, and work towards eliminating them. 

6. Talk to someone about your feelings

We can never underestimate the power of a strong support system. Talking about how we feel can help us a great deal in putting words to our emotions, and trust us, it can really help in reducing stress. You can talk to your friends and family, or even a therapist, if you are looking for professional help.