'COVID-19 fatigue' could lead to low moods, more anxiety and public health measures being ignored: B.C. researcher
With most of B.C.'s COVID-19 restrictions renewed for several more weeks, some might be feeling especially exhausted by the latest wave of the pandemic.
The tiredness resulting from theses cycles has been referred to by some as "COVID fatigue," and one researcher at the University of British Columbia says it can lead to some people relaxing the way they follow health guidelines.
"In my mind, COVID fatigue is a reaction to chronic stress. So people are feeling low mood, irritable, anxious, people get their hopes up and their hopes dashed," Dr. Steven Taylor, a psychiatry professor at UBC told CTV Morning Live Thursday.
"What goes along with that for some people is a gradual inclination to ignore social distancing guidelines … people are inherently gregarious and social and lockdown requires people to inhibit that tendency so it wears people down over time."
Taylor said there are certain people who might feel even more exhausted by the ongoing pandemic. One group includes people who already have anxiety, depression or mood disorders that could be exacerbated by the uncertainty of COVID-19.
How people are impacted during the pandemic can also worsen fatigue. For example, those who develop a severe illness, have significant financial issues or are isolated can experience extra stress.
Taylor said it's important people support others in their community, especially those who are more vulnerable.
"If you're in prison or your homeless, you have a completely different experience to somebody that's living in a luxurious mansion," Taylor said.
"We're not all in this together, but we can help one another. We can think about reaching out and increasing community altruism because that's one thing that's important in getting through this."
And for the future, Taylor hopes more mental health resources and supports are made available.
"The system needs an overhaul," he said. "If not for this pandemic, then for the next one."
Dr. Steven Taylor's comments were part of an interview on CTV Morning Live. Watch the full interview in the video player above.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.