Covid Awareness

LONELINESS AND FEELINGS OF GUILT DURING THE PANDEMIC

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental Health has never been a strong suit in places that are gloomy and stricken by such problems.

As well all know, the world has been facing a heart-wrenching Pandemic that has not only affected people physically but has also hampered mental health in general. ‘Extensive research in disaster

mental health has established that emotional distress is ubiquitous in affected populations — a

finding certain to be echoed in populations affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.’ Uncertain prognoses, looming severe shortages of resources for testing and treatment and for protecting responders and health care providers from infection, the imposition of unfamiliar public health measures that infringe on personal freedoms, large and growing financial losses, and conflicting messages from authorities are among the major stressors that undoubtedly will contribute to widespread emotional distress and increased risk for psychiatric illness associated with Covid-19. Uncertainties are real, and being unaware and oblivious of what’s going to happen next is bound to make anyone

Helpless. Loneliness and feelings of guilt are normal, and should be accepted, especially when the entire world is going through something too severe and unpredictable. Some groups of people may be more vulnerable to emotional distress as compared to others. Once an extensive disaster ceases to exist, some people resort to psychopathology, however, some individuals might be resilient enough to not succumb to the effects of such pandemics.

Loneliness is an unpleasant emotional response to perceived isolation. Loneliness can be normal and is only an indicator of underlying disease when feelings become excessive, all-consuming, and interfere with daily living. Some groups may be more vulnerable than others to the psychosocial effects of pandemics. If

someone already has a mental illness, living alone makes people want to succumb to despair.

Loneliness is a very common phenomenon that’s bound to occur during such times. Jamie Ducharme is a TIME staff writer covering health in the USA. In one of her articles, she interviewed a 41-year old divorcee, Kathie Hodgson, who’s a teacher and lives in Missouri. In an interview, she said seeing happy families playing in their yards or walking their dogs can also send her plunging deep into a spiral of loneliness. The irony, Hodgson says, is she was thrilled to live alone before the coronavirus pandemic hit, enjoying her “me time” and the newfound ability to date and see friends whenever she wanted—not long ago, she lived with her kids (who recently grew up and moved out) and a partner (who she recently divorced). But now that she’s

confined to her apartment almost 24 hours a day, she is feeling the emptiness of her home acutely,” quotes Ducharme.

Some people have been living alone and people who can’t go back to their hometowns. Not being able to meet your loved ones worsens the feelings of loneliness. ‘Many of us feel lonely from time to time and these short-term feelings shouldn’t harm our mental health. However, the longer the pandemic goes on for, the more these feelings become long-term.

Long-term loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems,

including depression, anxiety, and increased stress. The impact of long-term loneliness on mental

health can be very hard to manage.’

Social media influences our day to day life to an extent where our daily actions are shaped by what goes on someone’s Instagram stories and their WhatsApp updates. People have been trying new things during this pandemic - cooking, painting, dancing, working out. To say the least, they make sure, the world is aware of their productivity by uploading it on their social media handles. However,

for some people, coping with the pandemic doesn’t come easy. Being productive in times of a global pandemic is not an instinctual reaction. Hence, people fall back on feelings of guilt for not being able to do anything with all the time they’ve got while their best friends are exploring their talents. What some people fail to understand is that it’s a pandemic, not a productivity contest. You’re allowed to take your time to settle in and let yourself process the shortcomings. Give yourself the time to feel,

express, and process your feelings. Just waking up and going through the day is productive enough when the world seems to be at a standstill.

Mental health is a fragile issue, and overlooking it is always a mistake. Make sure you’re looking after yourself. ‘times. All of us, at some point or other during this coronavirus pandemic, will feel cut off from our loved ones. However, some of us will have greater access to technology than others or more social connections.

By caring for each other, checking in on people who are more isolated, or even volunteering for a

helpline, we can help prevent a loneliness epidemic. ‘However, there are various ways to look after your mental health and be more engaged during this lockdown. In this way, many people can also surpass their ability to feel lonely. One can always fall back on art when it comes to a point where you feel estranged. There’s always time to take up a new hobby! Remember the time when you wanted to add a new skill to your resume but didn’t have time to do it? This is the time. Learn that new language, go out for a run, work out, and get your summer body ready, cook your favorite pasta, organize your wardrobe so that you feel in control of your life. Guilty of printing out your holiday photos and leaving them in a drawer? Get nostalgic and organize your snaps into either a scrapbook or frames. Taking a trip down memory lane might just put a smile on your face. In this way, you’ll relive your happy times and not feel like you’re all by yourself.

This is a time everyone has to go through, so always remember you’re not in this alone. There will be group hugs, shared laughs, and teacups, and celebrations in the future. For now, be kind to yourself and everybody else. We’re in this together.