.svg)
As acknowledged, we have had to cope with change in recent weeks and it's safe to say we are slowly starting to accept some COVID-19 induced changes, but not all, and that's completely normal. Are you still struggling with getting used to social distancing or social isolation? I know I am! It's no surprise that this kind of separation between us and our communities is hard for us to accept.
Let 's start with this- there is a reason why social isolation is a form of punishment in the prison system, and let me tell you, there are some movements to eliminate it because of its detrimental effects. Granted, self-isolation in Super-Max prison is much worse than in the comfort of your own home, in fact, there has been various cases where human rights activists (i.e. Amnesty International) are trying to abolish or limit self-isolation within prisons.
“THERE ARE INCREASED FEELINGS OF LONELINESS DURING SELF-ISOLATION AND SOCIAL-DISTANCING”
This is certainly an extreme example, but nonetheless, there are clear evidences of the harmful effects of isolation. Once you learn some of the adverse effects of social isolation, you will probably understand why we may be instinctually resistant to it. Most intuitively is the increased feelings of loneliness during self-isolation and social-distancing. We are a social species after all!
Studies show that loneliness is heavily related to various aspects of a decrease in mental and physical health. Specifically, studies have shown that a lack of social connection (i.e loneliness) can increase health risks, (Holt-Lunstand et al., 2015) [2]. Various academic literature stipulates the adverse effects of loneliness, so let's talk about that a bit more.
“LONELINESS IS DEFINED BY EACH INDIVIDUAL'S LEVEL OF SATISFACTION WITH THEIR CONNECTEDNESS TO OTHERS”
Loneliness looks different for everyone, as some people prefer different amounts of company around them (take introversion and extroversion into account here). Rather, loneliness is defined by each individual's level of satisfaction with their connectedness to others. Someone who is used to having 10 meaningful connections and interactions a day may feel lonely if that number drops down to 6. Conversely, someone may have 6 meaningful connections and interactions a day and is satisfied by that. To this point, loneliness is what the individual considers to be 'enough' rather than fulfilling a specific number of interactions.
As a company who is used to having Happy Hour Wednesdays, Friday Funzies and several other social events, we have tried to maintain our social interactions although we may still be apart. Experts have found some ways that you are able to have control over in order to combat feelings of loneliness.
Don't be shy to reach out to your connections. Not only are you helping combat your own feelings of loneliness, but likely those of others as well. There are plenty of apps now that can facilitate this for 1:1s, group calls (Zoom, Whatsapp, Facetime, Facebook, Houseparty, Skype etc.).
These groups can consist of playing games, having a 'happy hour', watching movies together, joining a book club, doing arts and crafts, working out, you name it. The sky is the limit! Virtual groups will not only help you get in contact with others regularly, but can also give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment in using your time more productively.
It doesn't matter how you are staying busy, as long as it is something that is meaningful to you. If you keep yourself occupied with work, friends, family, projects, hobbies or reaching your goals, it will help you stay engaged with what is around you. This could also prevent you from ruminating on your feelings of loneliness, and hopefully prevent those feelings from consuming you.
Remember, loneliness is a feeling, not a fact. If you're feeling lonely it by no means indicates that you do not have people that care for you or enjoy your company. Moreover, there are things you can do to help that feeling go away, much like you can find things to make you laugh or calm down. The key is to find behaviours that can help you stay connected to those around you. For those who are working and may be overwhelmed by how much you are on the phone or chats, the next post is for you! Once we have established enough connectivity… how can we maintain a work-life balance?
[1] The Effects of Solitary Confinement on Prison Inmates: A Brief History and Review of the Literature
[2] The Risks of Social Isolation
[3] Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review
[4] 5 Ways to Fight Loneliness and Isolation
[5] How to Cope with Loneliness During the Coronavirus Pandemic
