I’m not sure who needs to hear this, but if you’re feeling unproductive, tired, and scattered, you’re not alone! Inc. reported Neuroscientist, Hilke Plassmann, coined the term ‘COVID-19 brain,’ to describe the effect on the brain from prolonged stress and trauma with no end in sight.
If you’re not feeling like yourself, know the struggle is real! The prefrontal cortex is the part of your brain responsible for analytical thinking, planning, and memory is swamped. Plassmann described the result is, ‘“Covid-19 brain” – a fragile, frazzled state that keeps our thoughts simultaneously on edge and unfocused.”
CNBC reported money is the number one life stressor (under “normal” conditions). With the pandemic there’s additional stress of unemployment, fear of job loss, and extra financial uncertainty.
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Here are four simple tips to deal with COVID-19 brain.
A quick warning, I’m dealing with COVID brain right now, and selfishly put this together because I needed extra tools in my toolkit to navigate living with foggy brain!
Be sure to follow Best Money Class Ever on Instagram! You can watch how to deal with COVID-19 brain (and stress less about money!) here, or click to watch below:
1. Give yourself grace
Right now, chances are you’re not operating with your “A-game.” The financial and career goals you set for the year may be completely shot. You wanted to knock out debt, or ramp up your investing, but if you lost your job, that changes everything.
Deal with COVID-19 brain by extending grace to yourself. Stop judging and beating yourself up. You’re doing the best you can, given the unideal circumstances.
2. Live one day at a time
If you’re struggling with long-term planning from COVID-19 brain, then live one day at a time. What do you need to do for the day? Or as the saying goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
This strategy will boost your productivity and diminish feeling constantly frazzled. If living one day at a time is overwhelming, live one moment at a time!
3. Write lists
When your memory is lacking, a simple list is a game-changer. Writing down what you need to do comes in handy if you’ve been forgetful and scattered.
The worst feeling is when you head to the grocery store for milk and come home with everything, but milk. Stop running in circles! A list is a tool to stay focused and on track.
Get your (free!) downloadable Meal Planner + Grocery List here, or click below.
4. Develop a trial and error mentality
A million times, we’ve heard this is unprecedented times. If you’re trying to find new tools to navigate the pandemic, remember you’ve never experienced a pandemic before and don’t know what helps you or not.
For example, I’ve struggled with feeling tired. I want an instant formula or fix to feel rested. Instead, I’ve tried different things from taking a siesta (nap during the day!) to running in the morning.
I’m still sleepy. Now I’m working on making DIY Roman Shades with room darkening fabric in my RV. Yes, I live full-time in an RV. For a previous DIY project, I tore down bunk beds and built a closet, watch here or click below.
If what you’re doing to keep your mental health in check isn’t working, then head back to the white board.
COVID-19 brain is real! Use these four simple tips. I’d love to hear from you. How have you dealt with foggy brain?
Save the date! Next Wednesday, October 28th from 7:00-7:30, I’m hosting live an October Executive Money Meeting! Join me to learn how to project your income and expenses for November.
