Written by guest author, Trinity B.
Social distancing bans on travel, and the closing of many businesses; COVID-19 has altered the way many of us live our everyday lives. Exploring the mental impact that the coronavirus has had within my community – within this country even – is of paramount importance. Said importance stems from a question that I have asked myself since the beginning of quarantine: how are we to maintain normal, healthy lives with so many restrictions?
Initially, the only ones obviously affected were athletes, small business owners, and those who must quarantine without their significant others. However, it became clear that there were multiple inconveniences for the general population. For the child in a negative or violent living situation that relies on the warmth and comfort of playing at the park for an hour after school. Or the nurse who now must quarantine to protect her husband and 3-year-old son. “Though necessary to prevent lose of life due to COVID-19, these public health measures expose many people to experiencing situations that are linked to poor mental health outcomes, such as isolation and job loss. Additionally, feelings of anxiety are increasingly common, as people are fearful of themselves or loved ones falling ill and are uncertain of the repercussions of the pandemic.” (Panchal)
“A broad body of research links social isolation and loneliness to poor mental health; and recent data shows that significantly higher shares of people who were sheltering in place (47%) reported negative mental health effects resulting from worry or stress related to coronavirus” (Panchal). It became prevalent most recently in just how much social distancing effects our emotional levels. As human beings, it is essential for us to socially interact with others.
How do we even begin to combat the feelings of loneliness and isolation? I found the answer within smiles and waves from strangers. Within staying active whist being productive. Small interactions and the consistency of weekly goals seemed to have strayed many away from thoughts of depression and anxiousness.
All quotes and data were retrieved from the following website: KFF
