The Influence of Changes in Daily Life Habits and Well-Being on Fatigue Level During COVID-19 Pandemic

TL;DR

The study found that the pandemic and lockdowns increased fatigue, with changes in daily routines and anxiety being key factors.

Contribution

The paper identifies evolving factors influencing fatigue during and after the pandemic, distinguishing between short-term and long-term effects.

Findings

Lockdowns caused significant increases in mental and physical fatigue among workers and retirees.

Anxiety and changes in daily routines were strongly linked to fatigue during lockdown.

One year later, fatigue was mainly associated with anxiety and workload in workers.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdown in March 2020 have led to changes in lifestyle and increased levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This survey examined a number of factors (anxiety state, sleep quality, daily activities, mental load, work-related variables) influencing mental and physical fatigue during lockdown and how these relations have evolved one year later. A cohort of 430 workers and 124 retirees were recruited in April-May 2020 (lockdown period, data set 1), and a subsample (133 workers and 40 retirees) completed the same questionnaire in April-May 2021 (data set 2). Linear regression models showed a significant subjective increase in both physical and mental fatigue in both worker and retiree groups during lockdown, and a supplementary increase in physical fatigue and anxiety level in spring 2021 compared to the lockdown period. During lockdown, anxiety level, concerns about COVID-19, work flexibility, mental load, and sleep metrics were associated with the evolution of fatigue among workers. For retirees, only anxiety and physical activity levels were linked to changes in physical fatigue. In April-May 2021, the only associations which remained significant were those in workers between fatigue and anxiety level and workload. These findings suggest that the increased fatigue levels during the lockdown are likely due to the swift and significant changes in daily routines (such as sleep patterns and work dynamics) and psychological states (including increased anxiety and concerns) prompted by the sanitary crisis. On the other hand, the increase in fatigue observed one year after the beginning of the pandemic seems to result from more psychological factors associated with the health situation.

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