#Microblog Monday 298: Allostatic Load
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I learned a new term this week: allostatic load. It is “the damage on our bodies when they’re repeatedly exposed to stress.” It’s what is happening to your brain from living under the stress of Covid-19: either because you’ve lost your job or you’re in fear of losing your job or your job puts you in harm’s way or you’re working at home but you can’t really get work done at home or you’ve lost a loved one or you’re in fear of losing a loved one or you’re about to meltdown if you don’t get out of your home or someone has just asked you for something and you have nothing left to give.
All of the above.
And we don’t know when any of this will end. Or what the next three years will look like.
I wasn’t sleeping before the pandemic, but I’m really not sleeping now during the pandemic. I’m awake at least once per night, but sometimes up to four times. I have a lot of nightmares.
It would be really nice if the universe could give us a break.
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9 comments
I’m sorry you’re sleeping even less currently. 🙁 Sleep is important!
I’ve been on sick leave for the last 5 weeks. This virus was the last straw for me after struggling for years with depression (now finally diagnosed) and anxiety. So, while things have been stressful, it has been a bit of a release and relief for me to just be home, cook, take care of kids and not worry about about work. The kids will go back to school/care on Thursday, and I will start work again, still remote.
This is just an amazing and crazy time we are living through. Take care!
Sorry to hear that, Mel!
I have my moments of anxiety but being in a lockdown (India has been in a lockdown since March 24), I feel safe. For the initial 40 days, there was no one who came to our place or we met – so t felt as if things are under control. I know though that’s never the case. But I have been able to adapt well.
This too shall pass!
I’m just angry all the time. The “open the states!” people are on my last nerve. I understand the economic worries, but those won’t be alleviated by rushing to pretend everything is normal.
I’m sorry you’re not sleeping well. I hope you can find some peace.
I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling. If it’s any use, I’ve taught a class on stress management before. One of my favorite tidbits from it is that social connections are literally /biochemically healing of the physical damage stress does. So hugging your (local) family, or laughing over the absurdity of life with your friends via Zoom, or even just chatting with a single friend via phone can be healing. I seem to recall you’ve done a great job of connecting with friends during lockdown, so you’re already ahead of the game, but sometimes it’s nice to know that there’s a biological basis why what you’re doing is helpful.
Sending you love and wishes for more restful nights ahead.
I’ve either been falling into a dead sleep with lots of really weird dreams, or I wake up at 3 or 4 a.m. & toss & turn for another hour or two before I finally drag myself out of bed to read or watch TV. I think most people’s stress levels are through the roof right now, even if they’re lucky enough (as I am) to be able to stay holed up at home with a steady income and lots of food in the cupboards and no kids to worry about. Sending (((hugs))).
I got nothing but this: {{{{Mel}}}}
May that break come soon.
I remember during my pregnancy with my oldest child wishing I could just be sedated from the first scan until her birth. Like put me under, wake me up when it’s successfully over. Rather than stress make it until the next scan, the fetal test, viability, etc.
Feeling the same now. Put us all under until the November election, at least. I can’t handle all the stressful steps in between.
And it’s very disconcerting to feel so unsafe but meanwhile even my state CA, the first to “close” is starting to open up. Too soon!
And worried about revealing I’m stressed dealing with kids doing distance learning while working from home, bc don’t want to give my employer reasons to end remote working…so stressing about keeping up appearances. gah….
Take care Mel. This too shall pass.
It’s a tough time, nevertheless one which will be behind us. Till the hang in there and hang in tight.
I’m sorry I’m so late to this (I have REALLY stretched the meaning of Microblog Mondays this week, in all senses of the phrase!), and send you a safe, virtual hug. I love love love FinallyMyLinesNow’s comment and sentiments. Keep doing what you’re doing. And I hope you get some sleep soon.