Facing The Challenges Of COVID Fatigue

A few months into the pandemic, we first learned about the term “COVID fatigue.” We all likely suffered (and probably still suffer) from some degree of this phenomenon. We all grew increasingly tired of missing family, friends, social interaction, attending events and gatherings and even going out without a mask. Some of us became weary of constant worrying and managing our businesses and practices. While we have not yet reached the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant COVID fatigue, we are beginning to see changes. Hopefully, we are able to start returning to at least some aspects of our pre-pandemic lives. Specifically, our practices may be coming back to life, taking some strain off of our mental and physical health. As we get back to full schedules in and out of the office, we must take care to not allow physician burnout to replace our COVID fatigue.

In my opinion, one way to combat physician burnout is to practice self-care, a practice I have highlighted in a past column.¹ Our world has changed and shifted quite a bit since then, though. Personally, I notice that as we “ramp back up,” I may forget to step back and take the time and energy for myself. This is not reflective of a desire to be less involved or have less work; instead it reflects the need to reclaim that healthy balance. After March of 2020, pandemic precautions took over and many of us found ourselves going to work, seeing patients in a restricted setting and then returning straight home. We ordered online and curbside pickup and rarely saw the inside of buildings other than our offices and homes. This became our new normal, as evidenced by discussions with work colleagues and podiatrist friends.

A recent social media post from a fellow podiatrist included a quote that resonated with me:

“Destroy the idea that in order to be successful, you must be constantly working or grinding. Embrace the idea that rest, recovery, and reflection are important steps in the process of living a successful and happy life.”²

When I last wrote about self-care, there were many more restrictions in place. As restrictions lift, we will all find our own levels of comfort with returning to activities. Our first steps are all fairly personal. Do we return to seeing friends outdoors? Do we hug our families - immediate and extended? Do we go to dinner in a restaurant? Do we go to the movies? Our methods of self-care are all personal as well.

Self-care, though, in my opinion, must embrace and encompass the idea of rest, recovery, and reflection. For me, one of my ways to relax pre-pandemic was going to the movies. I would go by myself to see a movie. I would have a nice drive there, grab some movie snacks, and let the world fade away while I watched the big screen. When restrictions started to lift, I began to look forward to that option. I found that one theater required advance assigned seating reservations and continued to adhere to social distancing and mask restrictions. This allowed me to practice one of my favorite methods of self-care while still feeling comfortable.

Spending time with my husband is another one of my favorite self-care practices. Of course, we were able to do that during the height of the pandemic, but now being able to return to events and activities outside of our home has really made a difference in how I feel. I feel more relaxed when I can go on “date nights,” which have begun to return.

As we return to fuller schedules in our offices, more in-person conferences and organization meetings, and contend with our families’ steadily increasing schedules, we need to remember to still take time for ourselves. Self-care in its simplest form is taking care of one’s self, which is inherently personal, both in process and method. My methods may differ from yours, but any approach should keep in mind the need to embrace rest, recovery, and reflection. Taking time for ourselves is how we can best find our own healthy balance in our lives, thereby allowing us to be the best physicians we can.

Dr. Hook is a Trustee of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association, Chair of the NYSPMA Public Education and Information Committee, and a sub-Chair of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine Membership Committee in the Crisis Communication and Audit division. She is Secretary for the American Association for Women Podiatrists and is in private practice at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists in Syracuse, N.Y.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Podiatry Today or HMP Global, their employees and affiliates. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, association, organization, company, individual, anyone or anything.

1. Hook S. It is okay to not be okay: thoughts on physician self-care. Podiatry Today. 2021;34(1):42.

2. Munson M. An argument against gutting it out on the hard days. Available at: https:// www.mattmunson.me/hard-days/ . Published August 3, 2020. Accessed August 2, 2021.