Exhausted - A COVID-19 Self-Checklist

by Linda May Grobman, MSW, ACSW, LSW

     How are you feeling? The most common "feeling" word I have been hearing and seeing from social work colleagues and other people I know since the COVID-19 pandemic began is "exhausted." I've felt it, too. Whether your schedule has slowed down while physically distancing or you're working harder than ever, you may be feeling drained, too, and wondering: "Why do I feel so tired?"

     What are some reasons behind this feeling of emotional and physical exhaustion? Please be aware that fatigue has been listed as a symptom in COVID-19 patients. If you believe you may have the virus, please contact your health care provider as soon as possible. Here is a checklist with some other possible reasons for your exhaustion:

• Grief: I know that in times of grief in my own life, I often have had an intense feeling of being totally "wiped out." Think about what you might be grieving during this time: Loss of health or life of people close to you or around the world? Loss of your daily routine? Loss of a sense of safety and security? Loss of a job temporarily or permanently? Loss of activities that were important to you that are now cancelled? Loss of control over your life? What else?
• Anxiety and fear about the virus: Many questions surround the coronavirus. Is it safe to go grocery shopping or order take-out? How do I make sure I am safe? Have I already been exposed? What if my family member or I get it? What does it feel like? How many more people will die? When will the pandemic end? 
• Financial uncertainty: Under stay-at-home orders in a growing number of states, non-essential businesses and offices have closed for the time being. Will you continue to be able to work, even remotely? Will your job be cut because of dwindling budgets? Will clients be able to pay for your services? Will you still be employed and have an income during and after the crisis? Will you be able to afford essential items, such as food, housing, and medications? Will they be available?
• Compassion fatigue/trauma/vicarious trauma: If you are a social worker or other helping professional reading this, you may be seeing clients every day, either in person or virtually, or your work duties may have been put on hold. Either way, in addition to your own personal stress and/or trauma around the virus, you are having concerns about how your clients are affected and coping, the effects of the virus and physical distancing on vulnerable populations in your community and around the world, and what the long-term effects will be. You may be taking on others' trauma, in addition to your own, even (or especially) by consuming the daily news.
• Physical tiredness and lack of sleep: Even though you may be staying at home, you could be working harder than usual in an effort to continue providing services in new ways. You may be suddenly homeschooling your children for the first time while adjusting to a new routine and environment. You may be losing sleep thinking about all that is going on, how you are feeling, how your clients are affected, and how the world has changed. Your body may be physically depleted of energy by the added stress.
• You were already exhausted before: Acknowledge that you may have started this crisis with an already “empty cup.”  Social work, as we know, can be an exhausting profession. Maybe you have an autoimmune disease, clinical depression, or other chronic illness with fatigue as a symptom. You are now experiencing new stressors, in addition to the everyday stress and fatigue that you were already feeling.

     Please know that you are not alone in your exhaustion. We are connected through shared grief. Listen to your body. It will tell you what you need. Be kind to yourself, and practice self-compassion. It's okay to cry. Talk to friends, or talk to a professional, if needed. Connect with colleagues, friends, and family via telephone, video chat, or text. Stay in touch through online communities. Consider limiting your exposure to news.

     Do a daily check-in with yourself to scan this checklist and assess how you're doing. Of course, the above is not an exhaustive list, so think about what else might be going on. Call your health care professional if you are feeling unwell physically or mentally or are so fatigued that you are having difficulty functioning. Allow yourself to get some rest and take care of YOU.

Linda May Grobman, MSW, ACSW, LSW, is the publisher and editor of The New Social Worker magazine.