Post by Dominic Reedman-Flint (2017 Cohort)
As the Coronavirus moves into Pandemic status and more and more countries use ‘Lock Down’ techniques to mitigate the spread, we are going to be left with more and more people self-isolating. Have the effects of self-isolation been considered on individuals’ mental wellbeing? We are suddenly plunging large swathes of the population into social situations that they may never have experienced before over the long-term. How will they cope? How would you cope if you have to self-isolate?
Another concern is that this self-isolation feels enforced in that we feel like there is no alternative. This, again, plays against our natural, social instincts and serves to ‘confuse our senses’. We are having to force ourselves to be isolated when we are naturally social animals. From a mental wellbeing perspective, this is a challenge.
However, the good news is we all have our digital selves and social networks for company. We ‘chat’ and message and read and ‘meme’ daily. Indeed, we have never been more technologically supported to manage this exact circumstance with mobile phones, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Slack et al we can connect instantaneously to multiple friends and family (and fellow researchers.) However, our physical networks are being broken so will our digital identities be strong enough to support our mental health? Evidence of extreme isolation and survival through digital identity is, perhaps unsurprisingly, scarce (maybe this will be an opportunity for me to get a study active) but evidence of mental health problems from lack of physical human contact exists. This is what we are facing on a global scale thanks to Coronavirus.
What is the loneliness we are discussing, we have all felt a bit down when we can’t connect or don’t have plans to connect. FOMO (or Fear Of Missing Out) can also feed feelings of loneliness but essentially what we are dealing with here is a much more deep-seated ‘need’ for connection that is not being met. Clearly Self-isolation will expose more people to the chance of feeling a connection is not being met. This could potentially lead to more people having mental health problems in the short and the long run or turning to addictions to quell the feelings of loneliness. It’s more easily done than you realise. Mind, a UK charity have this simple diagram that demonstrates, what I call, the downward spiral of loneliness.
The sort of effects of this spiral include ‘depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.’ None of which we particularly need to be feeling when there is a deadly pandemic flying around the planet.
I’m speaking from personal experience as I was terrible at being alone and dealing with loneliness in my 20’s so I went out to pubs. A lot. And then it became a habit, which became an addiction. It was only through building physical connections that I didn’t fall off the edge altogether.
So how can we mitigate the dangers of enforced self-isolation? Some simple steps help to maintain mental wellbeing when isolated. Having agendas or timetables or just to do lists helps to motivate and rewards progress. Having hobbies and activities you can enjoy alone, be it computer games, music, reading or binge watching to name a few. Also building connections by reaching out, keep what communication channels are available open and use them regularly to show you are thinking about one another. Play games together, Word with Friends is a good start. Make plans for the end of the pandemic. Discuss the potential end of capitalist societies due to the pandemic. Just connect.
The important thing is to be aware that self-isolation will not suit everybody and those that struggle with it may need your help. And if you find you are struggling, I’m only as message away.
Another concern is that this self-isolation feels enforced in that we feel like there is no alternative. This, again, plays against our natural, social instincts and serves to ‘confuse our senses’. We are having to force ourselves to be isolated when we are naturally social animals. From a mental wellbeing perspective, this is a challenge.
However, the good news is we all have our digital selves and social networks for company. We ‘chat’ and message and read and ‘meme’ daily. Indeed, we have never been more technologically supported to manage this exact circumstance with mobile phones, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Slack et al we can connect instantaneously to multiple friends and family (and fellow researchers.) However, our physical networks are being broken so will our digital identities be strong enough to support our mental health? Evidence of extreme isolation and survival through digital identity is, perhaps unsurprisingly, scarce (maybe this will be an opportunity for me to get a study active) but evidence of mental health problems from lack of physical human contact exists. This is what we are facing on a global scale thanks to Coronavirus.
What is the loneliness we are discussing, we have all felt a bit down when we can’t connect or don’t have plans to connect. FOMO (or Fear Of Missing Out) can also feed feelings of loneliness but essentially what we are dealing with here is a much more deep-seated ‘need’ for connection that is not being met. Clearly Self-isolation will expose more people to the chance of feeling a connection is not being met. This could, potentially, lead to more people having mental health problems in the short and the long run or turning to addictions to quell the feelings of loneliness. It’s more easily done than you realise, Mind, a UK charity have this simple diagram that demonstrates, what I call, the downward spiral of loneliness.
The sort of effects of this spiral include ‘depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.’ None of which we particularly need to be feeling when there is a deadly pandemic flying around the planet.
I’m speaking from personal experience as I was terrible at being alone and dealing with loneliness in my 20’s so I went out to pubs. A lot. And then it became a habit, which became an addiction. It was only through building physical connections that I didn’t fall off the edge altogether.
So how can we mitigate the dangers of enforced self-isolation? Some simple steps help to maintain mental wellbeing when isolated. Having agendas or timetables or just to do lists helps to motivate and rewards progress. Having hobbies and activities you can enjoy alone, be it computer games, music, reading or binge watching to name a few. Also building connections by reaching out, keep what communication channels are available open and use them regularly to show you are thinking about one another. Play games together, Word with Friends is a good start. Make plans for the end of the pandemic. Discuss the potential end of capitalist societies due to the pandemic. Just connect.
The important thing is to be aware that self-isolation will not suit everybody and those that struggle with it may need your help. And if you find you are struggling, I’m only a message away.