Restriction Fatigue takes approx 4 mins to read and includes a 3 min video.
“Restriction generates yearning. You want what you cannot have.”
Portia de Rossi
A little light-hearted
“Sounds very middle class Mum” No.1 son tells me, when I refer to Restriction Fatigue setting in. He’s right of course.
There is a certain privilege in simply being tired of it all, as opposed to having your life or livelihood completely devastated by this Covid carry-on. Restriction fatigue however, is my way of being a little light-hearted when describing the impact this madness is having on us all.
Cracks are appearing
Some may be fed up, or tired of it now. They want to do what they used to do but they can’t. Others however may feel like they’re falling apart, they can’t take much more. They are barely hanging on by a thread.
Cracks are appearing in even the most resilient among us. No matter what level of privilege or not, it seems that Covid is leaving its mark on us all now.
Why are we copying China?
In March when the threat of lockdown seemed imminent I paced our home lamenting about the ills of such a move. I could not believe we would ever behave like that in a democratic country.
“Why are we copying China? This is crazy. People will suffer, there will be more deaths, suicides, domestic violence, child abuse, murders. You cannot lock people up, it’s barbaric.”
But we did.
What a mess it has been.
Zoochosis
We know that animals suffer terribly when caged. Zoochosis describes the psychological condition brought about when wild animals are isolated from their natural habitat.
“If the captive environment does not fully cater for the species-specific needs of an animal, or if it imposes unnatural stress or frustration, there can be a deterioration in the animal’s physical and mental health. This may manifest in the development of physical disease or abnormal behaviour.” Born Free.
Medicated
How are these animals treated? Turns out, it’s the very same way as humans. They are medicated as this shocking list from Biopsychiatry explains.
“A gorilla and a tiger on Valium. A swamp monkey on anti-psychotic medicine. The Toledo Zoo, like many other zoos around the nation, is increasingly using antidepressants and tranquillisers to manage their animals’ behavioural problems.”
It’s interesting how all roads seem to lead back to the pharmaceutical companies, isn’t it? There they are profiting yet again from symptom treatment, rather than addressing the underlying causes.
Our normal
We are currently the human zoo experiment. Caged and isolated, how are you fairing?
Our normal is mingling and mixing. We naturally hug, kiss, and hold hands. Body language and facial expressions are how we communicate. We smile and laugh together because we are creatures of community. We like and need to connect.
Restriction fatigue could easily “manifest in the development of physical disease or abnormal behaviour” unless we find a way to survive this.
Going forward into these uncharted waters of a winter with the Covid cloud ever present, I personally need to focus on what helps me through difficult times. I invite you to do this also.
Your world depends on it
If ever there was a time to practice Radical Self Care this is it. Take care of yourself like the world depends on it, because it does. Your world depends it. It depends on you staying sane.
So, what helps you do that?
Go and do it if you can. If you can’t try something new. Think outside the box, let your imagination and creativity run riot. There’s no point lamenting over what is not. Instead let’s embrace what is and learn to dance with this uncertainty.
Rebelling
For those of you who’ve read my blogs, checked out the links and find yourself struggling to comply, you are not alone. I am too. Do whatever you need to do, to not only survive but to thrive.
Resources
I’ve written a few blogs and made videos about self-care. There may be something there that helps, you can check them out below:
“Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious. I have tried prudent planning long enough. From now on I’ll be mad.” Rumi
Disclaimer: The views expressed here, in blog posts and on the website Change Is Always Possible are those of the author Mairi Stones alone, and do not represent the views of any associated bodies. We do not diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. Information provided in this blog is not intended to substitute advice, treatment and/or diagnosis from qualified medical and nutritional professionals.