“I feel tired and sleepy, even without doing much work…”

I do not feel like eating, working or stepping outside on weekends…”

“There is no desire to start something new or think of some novel idea…”

“I do not feel like exercising or going for walks…”

If you have not said any of the above lines in the past two years or so, you are certainly among the fortunate few.

Otherwise, at an overwhelming level, people (particularly in their 40s and 50s) are experiencing anxiety and fatigue---for reasons, they are not able to place their finger at. Largely, the feeling is one of saturation. As if enough now; can’t carry on further! It is not just the routine activities such as exercise and/or cooking and/or doing routine office work, but even the new and unexplored activities seem disinteresting. There are intermittent episodes of feeling nausea while looking at food or feeling bored at the thought of meeting people or doing physical exertion.

Some say it is the effect of long covid, while others are sure that all of it are the side-effects of the vaccine. Some purely attribute the tiredness to the age factor.

Whatever be the reason, a large number of people are not active or even if they are---it is without any zest or spirit. In general, many people one meets, are not very cheerful or upbeat about anything.

A large number of creative folks are not producing creative works. The unemployed and the retired are experiencing listlessness or boredom or sadness, much more so.

No one exactly knows why!

If you have not been feeling any of this, it is indeed commendable! Either you are lucky to not experience these changes or you have consciously put in efforts to stay happy and healthy!

However, if you are feeling stressed or unduly tired---then we need to get out of this state of existence.

In times when our immune systems and our health and energy in general, are not too robust anyways---we cannot let this wave of anxiety and fatigue drown us. The cancerous chemicals in air, water, and food are playing havoc with our bodies and minds, anyways.

WHAT TO DO THEN?

Whenever one is feeling low and lethargic, no amount of convincing or counselling works. I have seen this with friends and family members; and experienced this myself.

When this state of: I do not feel like doing anything, takes over the mind, advices just don’t help. Nagging someone to get up and exercise; to laugh and socialize; to write or play or read or sketch or to do any activity, often backfires. The person further retreats inwards.

It is from inside that the calling must come: ‘that it is my one life and I must understand myself; solve my issues and if need be--push myself to stay healthy and feel happy.’

HOW WILL THAT COME?

* We can wait patiently for the dull and sad feelings to subside and to finally go away, with time.

* We can muster all the grit and determination we have and push ourselves to get out of it. Whether we like it or not, for reasons of survival---just as we go to work daily, so also, we must consciously make efforts to be happy; meet and socialize with friends and go for daily walks/exercises. For instance, we can first start with an ‘activity’ such as yoga, or laughter yoga or trekking with a group or go for a group tour to a different city/country.

* We must ‘TALK’; speak up and share what we are exactly feeling with a friend. Till now, we may have been one of those who do not like to fully open up with friends. But these present feelings have to be pushed out of the system and friends will prove to be the most helpful…

* We can hold on to THREE OTHER PILLARS OF SUPPORT and get out of this state of being:

* Music can work wonders. Listen to the music of your choice and consciously feel that it is soothing you and filling you with energy inside.

* Hold on to your spiritual Faith---in whatever and whichever form it may be. Do know that there is a power somewhere. It may be inside us or in whomsoever you define as incarnation of God.

* Push yourself to just any one favorite activity to begin with. Do it, even if forcibly, to simply feel better; to live better. If that activity has given us joy earlier, it could revive us even now.

Perhaps, YOU are among the fortunate ones who are just fine and feeling upbeat about your life and your future. But, do LOOK AROUND! Perhaps, your friend or cousin or your spouse or a colleague could be feeling low and downcast...

It is time to gather all the reserves of our PATIENCE and listen to them. Have long talks with them. Listen more. Offer less advice. Be careful of the words we use.

NOW is the time to gather all the reserves of our LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND CHEER and to scatter them all around; fling them as far and near as we can!

Who knows on whom the droplets of our care and love and laughter could fall, and infect the other!!!