Managing isolation and loneliness
We all need social interaction and social support networks to be healthy and to experience well-being and life satisfaction. Isolation and loneliness can have harmful consequences for our physical and mental health. Several risk factors for social isolation have also been exacerbated by the pandemic.
From the start of the pandemic until now, I have been reading and hearing about the effect of COVID-19 on our health and on the economy, however, we don’t as often address the effect on our social and psychological well-being. I understand it’s to protect the overall population and orders are in place to reduce risk and help the economic recession, but we tend to forget about the social recession, one that is impacting the quality of our social relationships and a surge in feelings of loneliness within the population.
This loneliness can be a painful feeling of dissatisfaction with our interpersonal relationships, often portrayed as a feeling of invisibility, disconnection, or social exclusion.
In my experience, I have had symptoms of depression, anxiety and an overload of stress. I had also moved into a new country, am currently pregnant and to deal with all the measures, being away from my immediate family, fearing the COVID-19 for my baby, the shots and the effect on my fetus/baby was overwhelming. Furthermore, I haven’t had the anticipation and joy I thought I would have (don’t get me wrong, I am more than happy, grateful and blessed by this upcoming baby).
The experience I thought like the visits at the doctor alone, I can’t take videos of the ultrasound, we are doing Facetime baby gender reveal/baby shower, now the giving birth with my partner and no visitors, not counting that I need to wear a mask in this painful experience and conditions in order to follow all the restrictions, which this is so hard and upsetting.
Furthermore, I know I am not the only pregnant woman feeling like this, or that is having experiences like mine. Even couples can still feel isolated and feeling trapped in this situation.
How to cope?
So, how to cope and survive in these hard times and changes? Here are a few things that have been helpful for me.
Stay informed in a reasonable way. Don’t pass your days on the internet or radio either but keep informed of the progress and update of the situation.
Stay active; it isn’t as promoted as it should be, but you don’t need to be running 5 miles a day to be active, a small walk of 15 minutes twice a day, a YouTube video instruction of yoga or small workout that doesn’t require equipment, stretches, etc.
Do something meaningful; change the feeling of loneliness or meaninglessness by organizing something in your home, sign up for a free class, send a card to a loved one, volunteer online, home projects, art projects, read…
Connect with others; yes, I know seeing others in person is important, but continue and commit by calling, video calling, post or write to colleagues, friends, family; commit to an amount per week even if you don’t have new information to share.
Find sources of comfort; learn to cook a comfort food you like, take a bath, have a nice cup of tea or special coffee; light candles, watch and take the time to relax and reconnect with yourself.
Show compassion to others. It might seem counterintuitive, but if you are struggling yourself, sometimes offering help to others who are feeling lonely can make you feel less lonely yourself. Make a phone call, send a text, send a letter, or comment on someone's social media posts. Be supportive and send words of love, encouragement.
Finally, and most importantly practice self-compassion, this should always be our practice, but even more during this difficult time. If you find yourself saying things like "I shouldn't be feeling this way" or pushing away difficult emotions, this will only make your loneliness persist. Instead of resisting your feelings, find ways to be accepting of them as coming and going. This helps to take away their power and ease your unhappiness.
If you need help, please feel free to reach out to our therapists as these feelings can be very difficult. Even after two years post COVID-19, many of us are still adjusting to what will likely be the new normal. We at the Center for Integrative Change are here to help.
About The Author
Lethia is the Client Care Specialist for the Center for Integrative Change. She completed her Bachelor Degree in Social Work at the University of Quebec, in Canada. Her primary passions are families and the well-being of the community, but no matter who she is working with she always strive to meet each person with compassion and full attention.