Why You Feel Exhausted All the Time During Quarantine

According to 'Shape,' even though we may not be physically doing much at home, our brains and bodies are working overtime dealing with stress.

"Currently, people are dealing with two major crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and the fight against systemic racism. The fact that both of these are life and death situations—people who are susceptible to the virus are dying and Black people are dying amid social unrest—creates an overwhelming amount of stress for your body to deal with," Eric Zillmer, Psy.D., via 'Shape'. "...when you're in a prolonged state of high stress, your cortisol production gets so unbalanced that it flips the switch and you start experiencing fatigue and burnout," Major Allison Brager, Ph.D.

Long-term exposure to stress can cause health issues including an increased risk of anxiety and depression, poor sleep, heart disease and a weakened immune system. Being stuck at home also deprives the brain of the dopamine rush you get from socializing with other humans. Dopamine makes you feel alert and awake. According to Major Allison Brager, Ph.D., a neuroscientist with the U.S. Army, "Working from home doesn't help either. One reason is that our bodies are deprived of the lack of direct emotional and psychological connection to humans while still having to attend to data and conversation."

To combat quarantine exhaustion, adhere to a sleep/wake schedule, set boundaries with colleagues and take breaks from screens every 20-30 minutes. Also, make sure to get outside and expose yourself to natural sunlight as much as possible. It stimulates the brain and the immune system.