Emotional Impacts of Quarantine And COVID-19
Whether you were able to maintain a fairly consistent standard of living through quarantine or whether your future felt 100% uncertain, it cannot be ignored that the first half of 2020 has created a large impact on society. Physical, financial, emotional, mental, and social changes occurred overnight in a complete loss of control. As we have adjusted to a “new normal”, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Economic fear is valid.
Not everyone lost their jobs as a result COVID-19, but many did. Whether you were furloughed, laid off, or simply had to adjust to new measures with the stay-at-home order, this sudden change came as a complete shock. This uncertainty about the future of the job market— on both an individual and a macro level— has led to an overall increased level of financial fear and insecurity.
Health anxiety is valid.
Regardless if you live with a predisposition to illness or not, a rampant pandemic is a terrifying thing. Even the “young and healthy” people likely know someone who is of higher risk, and the unpredictability of the virus eliminates any guarantee of easy recovery anyway. Healthcare workers and essential employees have been faced with an even higher risk of exposure and even higher levels of stress than on an average day.
Feelings of loneliness are valid.
Some people quarantined with family and roommates, while others had been left pretty isolated. Regardless of if you were fully alone or not—your social life completely changed. Breaks from kids were no longer an option, relationships were put to the test, and fun social activities and events were put on hold. These limitations easily led to feelings of loneliness and depression in so many people.
A decrease in motivation is a likely side-effect.
Feelings of depression certainly tend to lead to a lack of motivation and hope for the future. Normalcy was cancelled for us—there wasn’t any access to a gym, to a social gathering, or to a restaurant or movie theater. What we did have was 24-hour access to our refrigerators and Netflix. Many of us fell out of our healthier routines, and according to Newsweek, alcohol sales rose by 55% in March alone. Being gracious with yourself even if you’ve been choosing unhealthy coping mechanisms is essential in order to pull yourself out of a slump. When we beat ourselves up, motivation becomes even harder to muster.
You have control of your long-term outcome.
So now what? We’re obviously unable to change the direction of the pandemic—but we can control the choices we make coming out of quarantine. We have the ability to hold ourselves accountable and focus on becoming more disciplined in our routines—even with the small, simple things. It’s important to take inventory of the thoughts and feelings we’re having and to reach out for help and support when we need it. These actions are an absolute must in combatting the feelings of powerlessness. And, of course, taking the necessary safety precautions and practicing social distancing will assist in maintaining lowered numbers of cases. We can push through together!
Bremner, Jade. “U.S. Alcohol Sales Increase 55 Percent in One Week Amid Coronavirus Pandemic.” Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2020, www.newsweek.com/us-alcohol-sales-increase-55-percent-one-week-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-1495510.