I have a lot of clients who have yet to update their nervous systems to being in a post-pandemic world. The ways that COVID altered the global social landscape will be studied for a thousand years to come. I’m not here to tackle the ramifications of a global lockdown, but just to observe that people are still struggling to be present, now more than ever.
We spent 3 years, 3 months, and 5 days doomscrolling in our snuggies and getting snared by our “for you” feeds on Instagram (I’m too old for TikTok references). Although the state of emergency was lifted by the WHO on May 5th, 2023, it did little to lift the fog from our brains, or the fear from our hearts. Many of the clients I see are still stuck in the chaotic haze of 2021.
Most of my clients are white-collar professionals living in some Kafkaesque nightmare. After a long day of litigating, or selling some evil tech software (for a company like Lumon), or having their soul destroyed by their company’s bureaucratic policies, they like to unwind on the couch and do some doomscrolling to “relax.” If they’re within the average of watching around 8 reels per minute, and they decide to doomscroll for an hour, they’ll have watched close to 480 reels. That’s an absurd amount of brain stimulation to consider “relaxing.”
Have you ever felt more replenished after an hour of doomscrolling? Be honest.
So where does your mind go while it’s force-feeding itself an endless supply of bullshit before your eyes glaze over and you become dead to the world?
I don’t know. But it sure ain’t diving into the here and now, or yoloing, or carpe-diem-ing and all that jazz. And it definitely isn’t with your partner, who’s trying to connect with you, or at the very least, trying to get your attention.
So many people are living in hyper-anxious work mode from 9–5, and then numbing out the world from 5–midnight, until the weekend where they get wasted on Saturday night and nurse a hangover until Sunday evening. Notice how there is little time for connection (with others or yourself) in this busy schedule. Most of us are running into the same problem — we are not being intentional with our time and attention.
It’s your job to nurture a fertile space for connection and growth. It’s up to you to create a culture in your home that is conducive to real connectivity, whatever that looks like to you. Do not look to your neighbours for ideas on how to connect, because chances are they’re watching Love Island on full blast while simultaneously playing Candy Crush on their iPads. The world is not in a healthy state. Do not compare yourself to others to gauge your mental health. Look to yourself for genuine inquiry and make the necessary changes so that your life is spent making real connections with yourself and others.
If you notice that you have been in a non-receptive state with your partner and the people in your life, it’s time to audit the way you’ve been spending your time and attention. If you watch 30 minutes of reels a day (lower than the average user), over 10 years that will add up to 76 full days. 76 days straight of ignoring the world around you and disconnecting from yourself. Are you carving out at least half an hour a day to have an intentional connection with the people who are important to you?
If not, it’s time for an update — a beautiful world of connection and possibilities is sitting right behind your screen.
FAQs
Are there similarities between brain fog and Covid brain?
Absolutely. What many people call “Covid brain” is an intensified, lingering version of brain fog. After years of isolation, doomscrolling, and constant low-grade stress, a lot of the men I see still feel mentally cloudy, detached, and slower. It’s not just forgetfulness — it’s a nervous system that never fully came back online. The pandemic wired us for hyper-vigilance and distraction, and that haze is what I’m calling Covid brain.
How has COVID-19 contributed to cognitive impairment?
Beyond any direct viral effects, the pandemic completely rewired how we live. We spent years doomscrolling in isolation, glued to “for you” feeds, barely moving, and rarely connecting face-to-face. That lifestyle — combined with the fear and uncertainty — created its own form of cognitive impairment. Many of my clients in Toronto describe feeling like their brain just isn’t working the same. Concentration is shot, motivation is low, and everything feels more effortful. The constant stimulation and lack of real-world engagement took a real toll.
What are the long-term symptoms of Covid brain on our mental health?
The long-term symptoms go way beyond memory problems. We’re seeing persistent anxiety, emotional numbness, difficulty being present with partners, and a kind of low-grade depression that feels like you’re watching life through a screen. Many men are still stuck in the same cycle: wired during the workday, numbing out at night with reels or alcohol, and waking up exhausted. This pattern kills real connection and leaves people feeling existentially alone even when they’re not physically isolated.
Is there a concern about cognitive decline from long Covid and the post-pandemic world?
Yes, and it’s bigger than just long Covid symptoms. The combination of possible brain tissue changes, sleep disturbances, and the completely altered way we now live is accelerating a kind of brain aging for many people. When you add in the endless doomscrolling and lack of intentional time with others, it’s a perfect storm for cognitive deficits and mild cognitive impairment. We’re not just talking about older adults — plenty of high-functioning professionals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are noticing it.
Can therapy help with Covid brain symptoms and cognitive difficulties?
Yes. As a men’s therapist in Toronto, I work with guys every week who are dealing with these exact issues. Therapy helps by addressing both the nervous system side and the behavioural patterns. We work on nervous system regulation, breaking the doomscrolling habit, rebuilding capacity for real connection, and creating space for presence again. It’s not about “fixing” your brain overnight — it’s about updating how you live so your cognitive function and mental health can recover.
How can I support my brain health after COVID-19 or pandemic-related stress?
Start by auditing how you spend your attention. Cut the mindless 30–60 minutes of reels a day — that time adds up to serious disconnection over the years. Prioritize sleep, movement, real conversations, and time away from screens. Create intentional rituals with your partner or friends instead of defaulting to numbing behaviours. If the fog feels heavy, work with a therapist who understands men’s mental health and post-pandemic stress. Small, consistent changes in how you use your time and attention make a bigger difference than most people realize.
Why do I still struggle with concentration and memory years after the pandemic?
Because your brain adapted to years of chaotic input and then never got the signal that it was safe to shift back into a calmer, more focused state. Between the original stress of COVID-19, ongoing sleep disturbances, doomscrolling, and the general pace of modern life, many nervous systems are still stuck in survival mode. The good news is that with intention and the right support, you can retrain your brain function and start feeling sharper and more present again.
