We’ve all been there. That frustrating moment when a word hovers just out of reach, dancing on the tip of your tongue. It might be a simple word like chair or a more complex term like facilitate. You can think of synonyms or even words that rhyme, but the exact word eludes you. It’s maddening, especially when you’re used to being articulate.
Then, there are days when even the simplest tasks feel Herculean. I recently tackled my taxes, transferring figures from a bank statement to an expense sheet. In the past, I could easily memorize two numbers — the date and the amount — and input them without a hitch. Now, I struggle to keep both in my head at once. And yes, I know using data export features would be more efficient, but this is how I’ve always done it.
My memory feels like it’s on a downward spiral. It’s as if there’s a void where my cognitive abilities used to thrive.
If this resonates with you, and you’ve noticed these memory lapses since the pandemic began, you’re definitely not alone. I took to my social media, asking if anyone else was experiencing similar issues, and a flood of comments confirmed I’m far from the only one.
- “I couldn’t recall the word ‘spoon’ yesterday, and it almost made me cry.”
- “I forget if I’ve fed the kids lunch – daily.”
- “I took two showers in one day because I completely forgot I had already bathed.”
- “It reminds me of the mental fog I had during cancer treatment.”
- “It’s like I’m experiencing pregnancy brain without being pregnant.”
- “Every time I pick up my phone, I forget what I was going to look up.”
- “My memory issues were already there due to ADHD, but now it’s worse.”
- “At 59, I thought it was just age! Sometimes I can’t recall basic words like ‘cat.’”
Sound familiar? If so, there’s a strong chance that the stress stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting your memory. We’re all grappling with a collective trauma; our world has been turned upside down by a virus we can’t even see. Many of us feel a complete loss of control — even those who are fortunate to have jobs and food on the table feel it keenly. The uncertainty of health, employment, and basic needs has left us all on edge.
The Impact of Stress on Memory
When stress hits, our bodies produce adrenaline, priming us for fight or flight. In small doses, this can be beneficial, sharpening our focus. But the relentless stress of a pandemic is a whole different beast. It’s unfamiliar and relentless, with no apparent end in sight.
When stress becomes chronic, our bodies start pumping out cortisol, a hormone that can wreak havoc on our health. Elevated cortisol levels, especially when prolonged, can lead to serious issues including increased blood pressure and heightened risk of heart disease. But perhaps most concerning is its effect on memory.
Cortisol negatively impacts the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory. Research indicates that ongoing stress and high cortisol levels can significantly impair our ability to remember. This effect is often more pronounced in people dealing with PTSD or depression. So if you’re a trauma survivor or battling depression, you may find your memory issues exacerbated by pandemic-related stress.
My memory challenges actually started before COVID-19 — I came out as queer and went through a divorce last year, so the pandemic has just added to an already stressful situation. I’d love for the universe to ease up on my “adrenal gas pedal” so I can regain my cognitive footing.
If you’re tired of feeling stressed and forgetting simple things, here are a few strategies to help:
- Meditate: Spend five to ten minutes focusing on your breath. Apps can guide you if you’re not used to meditating.
- Maintain a Routine: Stick to consistent meal and sleep times. Circadian rhythms play a crucial role in managing stress. I struggle with this, often snacking irregularly instead of having regular meals.
- Eat Nutritiously: Stress can lead us to comfort food, which is perfectly fine. Just try to balance it with nutrient-rich foods that support your immune system and stress responses.
- Be Kind to Yourself: Don’t judge your reactions during this time. You may feel pressured to be productive or to handle stress gracefully, but it’s okay to have complicated feelings. We’re navigating a global pandemic, after all.
Perhaps adopting these coping strategies can help ease the strain on our adrenal systems. Who knows? One day we might walk into a room and actually remember why we went in there!
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Summary
Memory lapses during the pandemic are common, stemming from chronic stress and heightened cortisol levels. Understanding the impact of stress on memory can help us implement coping strategies like meditation, routine, balanced nutrition, and self-compassion to combat cognitive fog.
Keyphrase: pandemic memory issues
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