Research by the CDC has shown that there is a link between social isolation and poor mental and physical health. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, many people have been self-isolating for various reasons.
No matter what your reasoning is for staying at home - whether it's to quarantine after exposure, prevent exposure to yourself or your household, or just to slow the spread - you might find it difficult to adjust to the loneliness associated with quarantining.
Most people are used to constant social interaction, even if that just means chatting with the cashier at the grocery store. After months and months of limited interaction, the effects of loneliness can start to have a significant impact on your everyday life.
A study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that more than 33% of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly 25% of adults aged 65 and older are considered socially isolated. According to the CDC,
Because of the associated health risks, it's more important than ever to feel connected and social while still remaining safe from COVID-19. Here are a few ways to help cope with loneliness during COVID-19:
Ruminating and constantly worrying is one of the most common risks of depression. One way to avoid ruminating is to find healthy distractions. This could include anything from watching TV shows, watching movies, reading books, doing puzzles, listening to music, to creating art. Anything that you enjoy is a good way to distract yourself from focusing on the isolation.
Even though it can be easy to get off track with your sleep and work schedule at home, try to keep a consistent schedule as much as you can. A consistent routine will help you feel "normal" in these times that are anything but normal. It's also a great idea to keep a daily journal of how you are feeling and some things you are doing, so the days don't just pass by.
Keeping up with the news these days can sometimes be more anxiety-inducing than comforting, but accurate knowledge about COVID-19 can help calm fear or anxieties about the situation with the virus. Knowledge is power, however, be careful not to obsess and consume too much media. Reading too many articles with "click-bait" headlines can be overwhelming and bring more anxiety.
Our mental and physical health are directly related and greatly impact one another. Isolation can lead to depression, which can lead to lack of motivation to exercise. On the other hand, lack of exercise may lead to poor mental health. Some examples of low-impact exercise that benefit both your mental and physical health include: yoga, Tai Chi, daily walks, and meditation. Even just 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference.
A lack of feeling meaning or purpose can increase feelings of loneliness. Incorporating meaningful activities and projects into each and every day is incredibly important. We all want to feel like we have a purpose and impact on the world. Each person has a different idea of what is meaningful to them, but here are some examples to start:
While connecting with others is not the easiest thing to do during COVID-19, it's the most effective ways to combat feelings of loneliness. Although connecting in person may not be an option, you still have many ways to connect with others during this time. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Self-care can be a great source of relaxation and comfort to help with social isolation and mental health. Here are some ideas of self-care to treat yourself:
This is a truly tough time for everyone. Even introverts, or people who are typically content spending time alone, may be feeling the effects of isolation during COVID-19. If you'd like to learn more tips to maintain your well-being during this time, click the button below: