Everyone has now experienced some form of isolation and/or quarantining as part of this rather surreal process. It is likely to have had an impact on each one of us at some stage, and if it hasn’t already then there’s a good chance it will in the coming weeks (and months, depending on how long we are advised that isolation and social distancing should take place). We are social creatures and the feeling of loneliness has been found to be as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day[i], alcoholism or obesity[ii]. However, the threshold for loneliness is different for all of us; some of us are much more content in our own company and can cope with long periods without social interaction whereas others can feel lonely even when they regularly meet people. [i] https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/health/mind/how-loneliness-affectsyour-health-38160 [ii] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1298225/Lonelinesskiller-Its-bad-health-alcoholism-smoking-eating-say-scientists.html
Julianne Holt-Lunstad has been involved in over 70 studies involving 3.4 million people to try and fully understand the impact of loneliness and social isolation. Together with her fellow psychologist-researcher, Timothy Smith of Brigham Young University, she stated that “social isolation denotes few social connections or interactions, whereas loneliness involves the subjective perception of isolation – the discrepancy between one’s desired and actual level of social connection.”[i] So, while social isolation can be detrimental, it is actually the perception of loneliness and how that manifests which is far more harmful. [i] https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-andfamilies/surprising-effects-loneliness-health-depression-young-olda8110581.html
With this in mind, some people will naturally be more affected by the current lockdown than others. The important thing is to come up with strategies to overcome the challenges that isolation brings. New Government guidance was released on 29th March[i] in this everchanging landscape. This time, rather than looking at the things we should and shouldn’t do to protect our physical wellbeing from the virus, the main sections focused on how we can look after our mental health when in isolation. Some of their key points were: [i] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidancefor-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-thepublic-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronaviruscovid-19
- Talk about your worries Now, more than ever, people are sympathetic and understanding of those with anxiety. People who rarely experience it, or don’t experience it at all in ‘normal’ circumstances, are finding themselves feeling anxious. Please remember, it is completely natural in these uncertain times to have heightened levels of anxiety and there is no shame in feeling that way. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
- Consider how to connect with others Something we are all learning about is how to utilise different online tools to stay connected with our learners. Applying some of these elsewhere will keep us in touch with friends and family too. Those that have loved ones living further away may already be used to communicating in this way but others that have the majority of their network close to home could struggle more to adapt. Rather than see this as a barrier to connection, think about how it may be a chance to reconnect with people you have lost touch with. Sometimes it feels awkward to reach out to old friends as you may have drifted apart and you’re not sure what to talk about. If nothing else, this situation gives us all a linked experience that we can discuss. Use the opportunity and make the most of it.
- Help and support others We know that random acts of kindness give us a boost as it results in increased levels of dopamine being released into out system. That can help with our mental health and stress management. Interestingly, the study that gave us these findings had another group that tried to improve their mood by treating themselves. Those that bought things for themselves and tried to treat their low mood with retail therapy saw no improvement in their mental wellbeing whereas those that helped others reported feeling better at the end of the study. [i] There are many community initiatives popping up all over the country[ii]. Sewing masks for the NHS, food collections for the elderly, delivering medicines to the vulnerable. If our apprentices have been furloughed then it might be good for them to get involved in something like this, depending on if their contracts allow. Furthermore, those that have lost their jobs are either volunteering to work for the NHS or taking temporary work in places with essential services such as supermarkets. People are finding ways to help and support their communities. The disruption to life is undoubtedly difficult but the way everyone has come together has been heart-warming. [i] https://www.medicaldaily.com/random-acts-kindness-sweetemotion-helping-others-dopamine-levels-383563 [ii] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/16/communityaid-groups-set-up-across-uk-amid-coronavirus-crisis
- Think about your new daily routine The disturbance to our norm can completely throw us off. Without a new routine in place, it is easy to slip into bad habits that have a detrimental impact upon our mental and physical wellbeing. Keeping a regular routine helps to maintain our circadian (daily) rhythms. Planning your day and/or week can help to give you structure. Those that have been furloughed or have drastically different working patterns may struggle to maintain their usual routines. Simple things like getting up and dressed at a usual time can help to start your day on the right foot. The mental health service Mind shared a blog in 2018 from a woman who had always worked full time but then suffered with her mental health[i]. She wrote about the importance of having a routine when things change. Interestingly, she referred to the challenge of keeping to a routine. We take it for granted that there is a typical cycle to our day, some even bemoan the mundanity of it. However, the patterns and consistency that we create are important to our wellbeing. From how we eat to how we sleep, how we exercise to how we plan and carry out tasks. They all have a significant bearing on our wellbeing. Sticking to a routine in this period will help us get through it. [i] https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/your-stories/theimportance-of-routine/
We know the links between a healthy body and a healthy mind. Staying physically active is a big part of dealing with the lockdown. The Government have made it clear that they recognise its significance by making it a central part of their guidance. Some people may feel lost with the additional free time that they have but others have taken full advantage. It is a strange phenomenon of the human condition that disasters often spark creativity. Wartime poetry, art depicting slavery, nursery rhymes about the plague. It is amazing to see enduring art come from such difficult times in our history. There are so many examples of people channelling their creativity into music, art, vlogs, blogs, and countless other media during the lockdown. We can’t all be the next Picasso, Mozart, Da Vinci or Jedward. It doesn’t matter. Doing things that keep our mind active and engaged are vital. Doing things that we love are even more so. - Do things you enjoy and keep active
We know the links between a healthy body and a healthy mind. Staying physically active is a big part of dealing with the lockdown. The Government have made it clear that they recognise its significance by making it a central part of their guidance. | |
Some people may feel lost with the additional free time that they have but others have taken full advantage. It is a strange phenomenon of the human condition that disasters often spark creativity. Wartime poetry, art depicting slavery, nursery rhymes about the plague. It is amazing to see enduring art come from such difficult times in our history. | |
There are so many examples of people channelling their creativity into music, art, vlogs, blogs, and countless other media during the lockdown. We can’t all be the next Picasso, Mozart, Da Vinci or Jedward. It doesn’t matter. Doing things that keep our mind active and engaged are vital. Doing things that we love are even more so. |
Below you will see a passage that has recently been turned into a video and that is currently going viral. It is a great example of art sprouting from adversity. I’d actually seen the video first and then sought out the poem that was written to inspire it. This passage appears to originate from the website of a company from North Virginia, USA, that carry out work on trees of all places[i]! It is unlikely to be the strangest place that we find hope or inspiration during this crisis. In times of trouble, we will always see the best and the worst of people. I choose to seek out the best. I hope you enjoy the passage as much as I did. Stay safe. [i] https://www.doneganstreeservice.com/blogmain/2020/3/23/staying-positive
“I can’t wait for a year’s time, when all of this is a distant memory and there is a corona baby boom because all the lovers were loving.
And there is a rise in small businesses because all of the entrepreneurs had a moment of stillness and creativity.
And all of the children remember nothing, but a time when all the moms and dads were at home and drawing and playing board games and we remember it as the time we all got to stop and be present.
We will remember the time our health was our first priority, and people learnt new ways to use fresh produce to feed their families, and we were all forced to think outside the box and dream up new things and reinvent old ways of doing things, and for once – even amongst the chaos – there was community, there was a global rise in togetherness and the streets were quiet but our homes were bustling with love and laughter.
That time is coming… soon, just like other crises before, this will all be a distant memory, a thing we listen to our children discuss in classrooms, a once was, that we will share with our grand babies.
So, to you – I know it’s unsettling, but focus on the silver lining; we are in this together and there’s so much beauty to see.”