How to Free Yourself from "Groundhog Day Syndrome" During Quarantine

I’ve been a therapist now for over 20 years, and while I’ve been working online with some of my clients for a couple of years, I have now moved my entire practice online.

What I’m getting from my clients is that while most of them are adapting, there is now, not only ongoing anxiety and fear but also a kind of battle fatigue setting in.
Most of my clients are really trying to practice the suggestions that make a huge day-to-day difference which include: keeping to a schedule, getting dressed in the morning as if you’re going to work outside, getting outside for a half an hour to an hour a day for exercise, and staying connected to family and friends through all our available social media technology. There is also a reminder to distinguish between the things you can control and those you can’t and to focus on the many things you can control, like for example how often you look at news-related information.

As we continue to stay in quarantine while we have to, how do we manage Groundhog Day Syndrome?

In other words, how can we combat the feeling that every day is the same as the one before, especially when our days start to get repetitive?

If we think about how we remember events in our life, doing things for the first time usually leaves the most lasting impression – and the more we keep doing them, the more routine they become. Before we know it, time seems to fly by and we can hardly recall which day was which.

Even though you’re sheltering at home, the key to curbing Groundhog Day Syndrome is to TRY NEW THINGS.

Maybe you can’t go to that restaurant you’ve been meaning to try, but you can always a special new recipe or order food from somewhere new while supporting your local businesses. Even though you can’t join a sports team, you can put on a YouTube video of a workout you would never dream of trying. Have a meaningful interaction with someone you’ve always wanted to get to know better.
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We can break out of the rut of everyday monotony simply by breaking out of our comfort zones. Routines can feel familiar and cozy, but they can also make us feel like days are passing at the blink of an eye.