How social isolation affects us and what we can do to not let it overcome us.
Written by: Haritha, Kavya, Akshaya
Humans are social beings. However, during the pandemic, it has been hard to engage with other people. The pandemic will have a deep impact on peoples’ emotional and physical health long after it has ended. After living through this pandemic, it will be difficult for individuals to function normally as our definition of ‘normal’ will change. We do not even know when and what that new normal will be like yet. To cope with the sudden disruption to lifestyle, it is essential to take care of our wellbeing as well as that of our loved ones and not allow social isolation to get the better of us.
In last week’s blog post, we discussed how much a global pandemic can negatively impact an individual’s mental health and wellbeing. For this portion of the post, we will be further examining the effects of quarantining and self-isolation as a result of the spread of COVID-19 in more depth, as well as learn about mental health, generally.
The need to socialize
As mentioned in Part 1 of ‘Health and Wellness,’ humans are regarded as social creatures who rely on one another for survival. The start of the pandemic suggested that people need to distance themselves from each other and reduce contact, which would mean simple everyday tasks would become complex and isolated. The need to interact with others can be seen in a multitude of situations; from simply expressing our thoughts and empathizing with each other, to cooperating with millions of individuals to solve global challenges. It seems to be natural for humans to be interdependent on each other, especially in stressful situations, and almost evolutionary (2). But in discussing health and wellness, we will delve into mental health during self-isolation and quarantine and its effects, not the need to cooperate with each other in order to solve such issues. This is not to take away from the importance of coming together while being ‘separated’ to combat this virus. We will just be looking at another aspect of the effects of COVID-19, in regards to mental health.
The stress of pandemics
So, we know that pandemics can be stressful. Even just hearing the word and understanding the global impacts can reveal the weight of the situation, which makes it hard for many to cope (with the drastic difference in lifestyle). The CDC states that, “Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety” (1). People often use the words, “stress,” “anxiety,” and “depressed,” in very light situations without understanding what they really mean for those who have had difficult times mentally, and have certain conditions which complicate the process of relieving the stress and anxiety. During such an outbreak, it is possible that stress (produced as a result of the outbreak) can lead to changes in our sleep cycles and eating patterns, as well as influence our current mental and chronic health conditions (1). Although everyone responds differently to stressful situations, we can almost be sure that those who are at higher risk for COVID-19, socially isolated from everyone, are experiencing homelessness, are frontline healthcare workers, as well as those who have already existing mental illnesses are more likely to be influenced by the stress of this global pandemic. It is important to understand that there are people you can reach out to during times like these, including health professionals and other loved ones. While social media and the Internet allow us a break from the isolation and loneliness and keep us updated on recent news and discoveries, it is important to take a break and relax. The Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) conducted a study on college students from the beginning of the pandemic. Researchers observed the mental health as well as behavioral effects on the students, using “mobile phone sensing and self-reported mental health data” that they analyzed (4). This study began a couple years ago, so changes in behavior were clearly noted from the start of the global epidemic. Based on the data collected, they concluded that students were less active and experienced more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, they found that these symptoms were a result of hearing COVID-19 related news. Not only was their physical activity reduced, but phone usage increased, and a larger shift in mental health and behavior was recorded (4). Prior research also suggests that such traumatic events can lead to negative changes in mental health, but it is important to realize the ways in which we can improve our overall health and wellness.
Benefits of Fitness
According to many research studies, exercise is not only beneficial for our physical being, but aids in mental stability. Not only does it keep one energetic throughout the day, but it allows for better sleep and be more positive (3). It is also important to take time for yourself everyday, where you are not filling your mind with countless thoughts, which sometimes lead us nowhere. In next week’s post on ‘Health and Wellness,’ we will discuss more about the significant impacts of staying fit and maintaining your physical and mental health, specifically during this time, and other prevention and treatment methods.
Importance of a Support System
Having a support system is extremely important especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because people are staying at home more and are isolated from the rest of the world. Being away from people can cause damage to health over the long term if steps to connect with people are not taken. Supporting people during these times involves being there for them while they need it the most. To be a good support system to someone, it is important to listen to them carefully while they speak, watching for deviations from their normal behavior. This can vary from person to person. For example, some people will not get enough sleep at night whereas others may increase drugs or alcohol intake. If someone confides in you about something they are going through, offer your support (5). Small gestures like asking to cook them a meal or just sitting with them may have more than imaginable benefits (5). If it is not possible to meet with friends or family in person, the next best tool is to make a phone call or do a video chat. Using technology to bridge the distance between people is extremely important during times of crises (6).
When you or someone you care for is feeling low, don’t hesitate to ask for help! There are several support groups available online (ex: facebook) as well as within the community. Look for what fits you best and reach out!
Anxious about feeling anxious?
In the TedxTalk How to stop feeling anxious about anxiety, Tim Box offers a different perspective on anxiety and how to approach it (7). Anxiety is often seen as a negative emotion in our society, something that will hinder a person from living their full potential. However, Tim Box argues that without anxiety, our complex human behavior would not be complete. He suggests that the first thing to follow while overcoming anxiety is to accept it is a valuable feeling, respecting it as an equal to our other feelings. Anxiety is a necessary part of our lives that keeps us accountable in fulfilling our responsibilities. It is in human nature to feel anxious in various situations to promote the best result for that situation. However, when anxiety persists throughout the day, it can become overwhelming. And then the major pitfall is labeling this feeling as an illness, where most people convince themselves that the feelings of anxiety and depression are inescapable. There is not one recipe to resolve these feelings of despair. However, it is important to pay attention to these feelings and accept them. Accepting them makes them normal rather than something that is foreign, Box explains (7). This TedxTalk is truly inspirational and a must see for those seeking a different perspective about mental health.
Recent research suggests that our brain remains dynamic throughout our lifetimes, which is more formally referred to as neuroplasticity (8). There is a connection between the biology of our body and our way of thinking. Therefore, the way we think affects the type of chemicals that are released by our brain, which in turn determines our mental and physical stability (8). Practicing meditation and mindfulness, as well as exercising are ways in which our mind and body connection are positively reinforced. Taking time to understand our feelings and emotions has become a struggle in this digital world full of mindless distractions. It is imperative that we all take time to reflect upon ourselves to truly experience life.
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