I’ve never been a fan of pants without elastic waistbands, yet I wear them and thought I understood how they work. Recently, I slipped into a pair of jeans and went to thread my belt through the loops, but I couldn’t recall which side I usually start on. I picked a side and fastened it, but it felt off. Can a belt even feel “right”? I thought the extra fabric should be on the left, but I couldn’t be sure. I completely forgot how to put on my own belt.
Typically, my memory is sharp; I easily remember facts, important tasks, grocery lists, and everyone’s schedules. However, my recent belt confusion and forgetfulness are new and have intensified in the past few months. The ongoing pandemic has made it increasingly difficult for my brain to retain information—if I remember anything at all. If your garage is cluttered with recycling that you forgot to take out on pickup day, rest assured, you’re not alone. This pandemic has turned our minds into sieves.
Samira Jones shared with us her feelings of mental overload. “Juggling work and managing 55 Zoom meetings a week between my three kids has me in a constant state of forgetting something,” she explained. “I forget at least one Zoom class daily. I walk into a room and completely blank on what I needed to do. There are days I even forget where I’m driving, as if my brain can’t handle driving and multitasking anymore.”
Sound familiar? My anxiety has also spiked, and I can physically feel the stress in my body. Sometimes, I forget what I was supposed to be reading or writing about. This is mainly due to the chronic stress we’ve been under for an extended period. We’ve been multitasking with various media streams daily for over a year, often in isolation with limited interaction with friends and family. Research shows that all of these factors can negatively affect memory, but the continuous overlap can leave us struggling to remember anything.
As Mike Lane, a neuroscientist at UC Irvine, remarked to The Atlantic, “We’re all experiencing some mild cognitive impairment. Two factors that benefit the brain are physical activity and novelty, while chronic stress is detrimental.”
Even those navigating the pandemic from a place of comfort and privilege face stress from unpredictability and boredom, which can alter our brain function. Under stress, our bodies produce cortisol, a chemical that serves a purpose in short bursts but can become harmful when produced excessively over time. It can impair cognitive functions and even lead to a reduction in brain cells and the size of the prefrontal cortex, which is vital for learning and memory. When combined with the reduced activity of our hippocampus, it creates a loop of monotony that makes it hard to remember anything at all.
Elena Markov experienced this firsthand: “While in the shower yesterday, I paused to jot something down, but when I closed my left hand, I was horrified to find conditioner oozing out. I panicked and washed my hands, only to realize what it actually was.”
Amidst this, many are turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress and boredom. While this might offer fleeting relief, excessive drinking can further impair memory function.
As vaccination rates rise and outdoor activities open up, we still find ourselves in a fragile phase of this pandemic. What can we do to address the forgetfulness brought on by COVID-19? We can strive to introduce more variety into our daily routines. Try changing your work environment, listen to a new podcast, or pick up a fresh recipe. Switching up your grocery route can also help stimulate your brain.
Incorporating more movement into your day can be beneficial too. Exercise not only improves memory but also elevates mood and aids sleep. Simple activities like walking, stretching, or dancing for a few minutes throughout the day can make a difference. A safe walk with a friend could enhance both mental and physical health.
It’s essential to be kind to yourself during these times. We’re living through an unprecedented pandemic, and it’s unrealistic to expect ourselves to function as we did before. The pace we’ve been maintaining is neither healthy nor sustainable. Instead of chastising yourself for what you’ve missed, take pride in what you have accomplished.
As Marissa Fields put it, “With my ADHD, the lack of structure means I often find myself standing in front of the pantry, wondering what I’m even doing with a plastic bag in my hand. It’s just a blur.”
Take solace in knowing that you’re not alone in this experience. I had intended to share some comforting advice, but I seem to have forgotten it.
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In summary, the long-term effects of the pandemic have left many of us grappling with forgetfulness and cognitive overload. By incorporating variety into our routines, staying active, and practicing self-compassion, we can work to improve our mental clarity and resilience during these challenging times.
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