BATTLE FATIGUE IN THE MASSES
Hello everyone and welcome!
As we continue to move through a year that will forever define our lives as either Pre-Covid or Post-Covid, we all may be finding ourselves a little impatient, tired, restless, jumpy, depressed, frightened and fatigued. We may not be sleeping well. Our appetites may have changed. Our motivation may be lacking. Our bodies may feel sluggish. Decisions may be difficult to make. And even our loved ones may be getting on our nerves every now and then, making us desperate for a little alone time in which we can collect our thoughts and find some temporary peace of mind.
If this sounds like something you may be experiencing, you are not alone. In fact, experts agree that most of us are experiencing at least a few of these symptoms in our daily lives. What’s more, it’s nothing new in times of great stress.
BATTLE FATIGUE is a term that was coined by medical science during World War II. It’s also sometimes referred to as combat fatigue or shell shock. It refers to three different areas of trauma that soldiers experience during war, including physical fatigue, mental fatigue and emotional fatigue.
It’s an anxiety-related disorder typically characterized by irritability, depression, hypersensitivity to stimuli such as noise, movement and light, and sleep disturbances, including nightmares, broken sleep or a complete inability to fall asleep.
During times of war, soldiers face a multitude of situations that bombard their emotional and physical wellbeing.
- The loss of comrades and leaders
- The loss of physical comforts
- The loss of support groups, friends or family
- Days filled with uncertainty and doubt
- The lack of clear and concise information
- The daily threat of injury or death
- Prolonged time with no noticeable progress
- The suffering of loved ones
- Grief for a world that has turned upside down
- The inability to find closure
As we move through our new reality of a Covid-19 world, we all are experiencing the same situations.
We’re all constantly worried about our loved ones and each other, we all daily face the common threat of a deadly virus no one really seems to understand, we risk our health every time we leave our house, we mourn those we have lost, we move through our days in a fog of uncertainty, we see very little progress, we despair for a world that has become unrecognizable, and we see no closure or end in sight. We spend every day doing everything that is required of us to protect not only our health and safety, but the health and safety of our family, friends and fellow citizens. We sacrifice our personal lives, comforts, and agendas for a greater good.
This, my friends, is the world of a soldier – and as soldiers we all are becoming shell-shocked and battle fatigued.
Yet, everything we’re feeling now is expected, documented and normal in an embattled world that in many ways has overnight become strange, unfamiliar and hostile.
As soldiers, we now need to understand the simple things we can do to regain our confidence, restore our emotional and physical wellbeing, and remain strong for ourselves and those around us. With guidance from veterans of wars past, here are a few suggestions that might help in our current situation.
- If possible, regular hot meals throughout the day will bring comfort to the weariest of souls. Even a bowl of hot soup will help soothe our cracked and rough edges.
- Exercise and recreation will improve our energy and mental outlook. A walk around the house, a little gardening, a few minutes of sunshine will all help reduce stress and strengthen our immune system.
- Rest and relaxation will calm our nervous system and boost our mood. A few minutes of quiet meditation or deep breathing with closed eyes will help ease anxiety and reduce depression.
- Ensure a good night’s sleep by avoiding late night caffeine, news and media reports, and unnecessary screen time. Instead, try a hot cup of chamomile tea, a warm bath, and some soothing music.
- Maintaining a sense of routine throughout the day will provide us with a sense of familiarity, ownership and control over our days and weeks.
Yes, we’re all at war. We’re soldiers fighting a common enemy and we’re all feeling the effects of the battle. It’s normal to feel the burden of this extraordinary situation, and to feel occasionally helpless and hopeless.
Yet, one day this battle will be over and behind us. Until then, let’s do everything we can to protect our wellbeing and to seek the positive aspects in the situation. Be grateful for extra time with family and pets. Develop new skills or habits like cooking, journaling, painting or sewing. Enjoy leisure activities like gardening, reading, teleconferencing and Zooming with friends and colleagues.
While this trying time is difficult, it’s not forever. It’s for now.
So, remain safe and strong my friends. Lean on each other. Be patient. One day we’ll look back on this as wiser, braver and more compassionate human beings who faced the storm and emerged better versions of ourselves.
Thanks again for joining me everyone. Until next time stay POSITIVE, stay PRODUCTIVE, stay in GOOD HEALTH and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
Leave a Comment