Our brains are being challenged due to pandemic fatigue – pentictonherald.ca

VICTORIA — We’re coming to the end of a second year dominated by a global pandemic and our brains are tired.

Before the surge of Omicron-variant cases, many people were feeling hopeful that an end to the pandemic could be in sight.

The return of restrictions and upheaval of holiday plans has sent us on an emotional roller coaster, challenging our brains once again to make sense of an ever-changing world, says University of Victoria neuroscientist Olav Krigolson.

“We all thought this was going to be a normal Christmas, right? And all of a sudden that changes,” Krigolson said.

The brain takes in sensory information and experiences to create a belief system about how the world works, but with the rules frequently changing, that system is being asked to adapt more frequently than we’re used to, he said.

That’s on top of the mental fatigue brought on by the prolonged stress and heightened emotional state of pandemic life. Cognitive fatigue can make you feel lethargic, unmotivated and more likely to make mistakes, Krigolson said.

The amygdala, a key part of the emotional system, is “sort of running wild,” making people hyper-sensitive right now.

When the emotional part of the brain is on overdrive, people are more likely to become upset over something that seems small and to have deep, meaningful conversations with total strangers, because the emotional system is “crying out” to engage, he said.

“The physical equivalent would be literally going on a hike and you think you’re at the top of the mountain but you’re not there yet. They call them false summits.

“And then you keep going and you think you’re at the top of the mountain and you’re not there yet. You turn the corner and you see, oh crap, there’s more to go,” Krigolson said. “That’s what’s sort of happened with us emotionally.”

If you’re feeling unmotivated or unfocused, Krigolson’s advice is simple. Keep your brain healthy with enough sleep, exercise, a good diet and social connection — along with mindfulness techniques.

“Right now, the worst thing you can do, for instance, would be to not exercise at all, sit on your couch, order in … and then grab a bottle of your favourite wine,” Krigolson said. “I know that’s what we all think we want to do, but those are all things that will put you in a more negative brain space.”

Krigolson recognizes how hard it can be to force yourself to make healthy decisions when your brain is already tired — even for someone like him who understands what’s happening in his brain. “It’s kind of like a chicken and egg …….

Source: https://www.pentictonherald.ca/life/article_0baf2d88-68f2-11ec-bf6a-87836c6d1801.html