Even though the COVID-19 pandemic occurred just over 5 years ago, for many, daily life still remains in a turbulent state. The subsequent years that have followed have been met with rising costs, job insecurity, and a housing crisis. Even when lockdowns ended, businesses reopened, and society attempted to return to ‘normal’, without a plan on what that looks like. During the pandemic, due to social distancing, saw a surge in online engagement. This has stuck in the years following the pandemic with some benefits but a myriad of consequences.
While the work-from-home model saw a growth in production for companies, it took its toll on employees. Employers will sometimes blur the boundaries of their employees’ work and personal hours. Companies also threaten job security as they are invested in profits, efficiency and now looking to AI technologies to replace jobs once held by humans. The current global news cycles, the constant barrage of media, and unfettered access to communication are overwhelming.
So it is no wonder people across the globe are fatigued. However, many people are reporting feeling more exhausted, drained, and emotionally spent than before. Luckily, this is not isolated nor a mental issue. Psychologist Naomi Holdt offers a compelling explanation for why so many people are currently struggling.
The Expert Behind the Insight
Naomi Holdt is a psychologist, author, and speaker with over 2 decades of experience in educational psychology and psychotherapy. She specializes in the emotional well-being of children and young adults. Her book Bounce: How to Raise Resilient Kids and Teens addresses resilience and mental health challenges in modern families. Holdt’s insights about collective exhaustion resonated with thousands when she shared them on social media. Shared back at the end of 2022, her perspective helps explain the widespread fatigue many people experience today.
Why Your Exhaustion Makes Perfect Sense
Holdt’s social media post goes on to explain that most people she’s spoken to had started 2022 still dealing with the onslaught of the previous years during the pandemic. Most people she had spoken to did not enter “this year on a full tank.” As reported by Upworthy, she explains that by the end of 2021, most people barely made it to the end, dragging themselves through while emotionally taxed and “running on aged adrenaline fumes”. Holdt says most people were still carrying the grief, trauma, and shock from having their lives upended during the pandemic. The dramatic shift into a new normal has left many emotionally drained, crawling into each new year, not having time to adjust. The sympathetic nervous system remained on full alert for nearly 2 years during the pandemic. This prolonged stress response left collective mental health in tatters. The natural byproduct of fighting such an extended crisis is complete exhaustion.
The Hurricane Year Effect
After the pandemic’s acute phase, people rushed to recreate normalcy. This rush created what Holdt calls a “hurricane year“, a frantic race to catch up in every facet of life. Work, school, sports, relationships, and daily life all demanded immediate attention. Holdt states that people may stay busy to help them to forget the traumatic experiences during and post the pandemic. She explains that this approach to ‘rushing to normalcy’ has failed. Attempting to function at full capacity without acknowledging the previous trauma only deepened the fatigue. This mental and physical fatigue experienced by many globally also affects children and teenagers. Research shows that 4.5% of COVID-infected individuals developed chronic fatigue syndrome, a 15-fold increase from pre-pandemic levels.
The Nervous System on Overload
The pandemic kept everyone’s sympathetic nervous system on high alert for almost 3 years, with some still retaining this state years after. This “fight or flight“ system prepares the body for immediate threats by increasing heart rate, redirecting blood flow, and triggering stress hormones. While short-term alertness is important for survival, consistent and long-term stress carries dangerous risks to your well-being. When stress becomes chronic, the nervous system struggles to return to its normal “rest and digest” state. This prolonged activation leads to physical exhaustion, mental fog, emotional numbness, and difficulty recovering from daily stressors.
Political and Social Stress Compounds the Problem
While the pandemic had a major role in the collective fatigue the world is experiencing, shifts in the political climate, jobs and technology also play a role. Recent political climates have added significant stress to daily life. During the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests that followed highlighted radical racial injustice within the American policing system. As people were inside their homes, most were constantly online and could easily become ensnared in doomscrolling. This also meant people had nothing else to do but observe. In the subsequent years, the political climate has shifted dramatically, along with immigration sentiment and increased global financial volatility. Some fear the global north is veering towards authoritative and fascist leadership.
A 2024 survey found that 77% of U.S. adults reported the future of their nation as a major stressor. Political stress has been linked to increased anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, particularly among certain demographic groups. This stress layered onto pandemic fatigue creates a compound effect. Americans report feeling worn out by political news, with 66% experiencing political fatigue. Many people now limit news consumption because the constant stress feels overwhelming.
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The Collective Trauma Nobody Talks About
Experts describe the global pandemic experience as collective trauma, a shared psychological response to a massive traumatic event. Signs include heightened anxiety, disconnection from others, mistrust, and emotional numbness. During lockdowns, people faced entrapment, helplessness, and lack of control, which has left a scar that will take time to heal. These factors commonly trigger the most distressing post-traumatic effects. The UK Mental Health Foundation found that 62% of adults felt anxious or worried during the initial lockdowns. 1 in 6 adults experienced common mental health problems like anxiety or depression during the pandemic. This collective experience fundamentally altered how communities function and connect.
Recognizing Your Invisible “Handle With Care” Sign
Holdt states due to the current state of affairs and through the experience of the pandemic, people are vulnerable and fragile. She states we need to be mindful and understanding, as understanding brings compassion. With compassion, we need to care for one another as “the world’s citizens are in need of a little extra TLC at the moment.” As Holdt states, many people tend to hide their vulnerabilities, but the signs of distress manifest themselves in subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle but potentially dangerous ways. That is why, she says, it is important to try to exhibit compassion for one another.
Holdt emphasizes in her post that before questioning your fatigue and trying to return to normalcy too quickly, take time to reflect. She suggests pausing and breathing, grounding yourself and taking into account what you have endured. Remind yourself of what your accomplishments are in spite of the odds. Everyday is a step forward, even if it is a stumble.
Actionable Steps to Combat Present-Day Exhaustion
The first steps of combating this sense of anguish is acknowledging the trauma and taking practical steps. Prioritize quality sleep by maintaining consistent sleep schedules and creating relaxing bedtime routines. Try to get approximately 9 hours of sleep each night. Second, establish healthy boundaries at work and home to prevent overcommitment. Learn to say no to unnecessary tasks, duties or favors if you are incapable. You cannot draw water from a well that has not been replenished. Make sure to replenish your well before you try to fill another’s. Third, engage in regular physical activity, even just 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise daily. Movement releases natural mood-lifting chemicals and reduces stress.
Building Long-Term Resilience
Building resilience to the world’s stressors helps prevent future burnout. Mindfulness meditation reduces cortisol levels by up to 25% over 8 weeks. Practice present-moment awareness through body scans, gentle yoga, or sitting meditation. Nurture personal relationships and seek social support from trusted friends and family. Talking about experiences with others helps process difficult emotions. Engage in hobbies and activities that bring joy, even for just 15 minutes daily. Journaling helps track stress levels and identify triggers. Consider professional help if exhaustion feels overwhelming or persists despite self-care efforts.
Moving Forward With Grace
The path forward requires gentleness. As Holdt puts it, do not race to the finish line, tread carefully, and move slowly. Try to find a couple of minutes of peace and silence a day amid the chaos for peace of mind. Allow healing to occur naturally rather than forcing recovery. Most importantly, practice kindness toward yourself and others. Recovery from burnout can take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on multiple factors. The timeline matters less than the commitment to genuine healing. Understanding why you feel exhausted represents a crucial first step toward reclaiming your energy and well-being.
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