Looking forward to celebrating the Spring Festival with a mini-vacation, we were unaware of the future and what the following year had in store for the globe. As we celebrate our first—and hopefully last—quarantine anniversary, I want to explore the effects of social isolation. Although most pandemic discourses focus on the medical implications of the virus, the impact of social isolation is equally necessary. Quarantine has overtaken and restricted our lives: hindering our education, limiting interactions with family, canceling travel plans, and even changing the mundane tasks of grocery shopping and restaurant dining. Social interactions have become health risks, and we must continue to do our part by wearing masks and isolating ourselves. Nonetheless, it is worth addressing the detrimental effects on mental and physical health due to prolonged isolation.
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, prior to the pandemic, shared that “many countries are in the middle of a loneliness epidemic.” Typically, social isolation is attributed to the elderly, accompanied by— high levels of stress, unhealthy habits, physical deterioration, dementia, and premature deaths. As the majority of the world has transitioned to remote workspaces, they have experienced a similar situation of limited social interaction over the past year, accompanied by comparable effects— depression, anxiety, suicide, unhealthy habits, and premature deaths. Amy Novotney, acknowledging the heightened health risks, compares the impact of social isolation to the health risks of smoking fifteen cigarettes a day or an alcohol disorder. Researchers can now identify the present severity and potential future risk of social isolation, raising the question, how do we effectively combat these effects while self-isolating in response to the pandemic?
Although it is discouraged to engage with groups of people physically, thankfully, the internet allows us to connect virtually— we can still converse, laugh, learn, and enjoy the feeling of social interaction we crave. Next, integrating a schedule into your daily life can help you avoid the downfalls of social isolation; whether a strict hour-by-hour or a to-do list, planning and organizing your day can promote productivity and alleviate the detriments of social isolation. Above all else, do not hesitate to ask for professional guidance; protecting your mental health is just as important as wearing a mask during this pandemic. Explore the resources available through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and consider virtual therapy.
We have faced an abundance of obstacles that continue to persist, and we can only fight social isolation together. Students fortunate to be on campus should enjoy their company and engage virtually with international students. Happy Quarantine Anniversary!
Section Editor: Brooke Leath
Section: Health & Wellness
Comments