What is social isolation doing to us?
With social isolation being as strong a risk factor for illness and mortality as smoking or obesity, what impact is the current requirement to distance ourselves from each other having on our wellbeing?
In its 2019 report about loneliness in Malta, the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta referred to the phenomenon of loneliness as ‘an epidemic in modern societies’. As a nation, the incidence of loneliness in the Maltese islands is in fact significant, with the report highlighting that over the age of 11, more than 1 in 3 people in Malta experience some degree of loneliness. When you then top that ‘epidemic’ with a pandemic that involves social distancing and isolation, dealing with the novel coronavirus can be very delicate and overwhelming unchartered territory for our society and its wellbeing.
Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of our daily routines would theoretically sound like a luxury that many of us have often longed for throughout our adult life. And yet, having to face the present situation in relative isolation and under a cloud of new pressures and unfamiliar threats, gives it all a dimension of apprehension that challenges us in ways few of us could have been prepared for.
Collectively, it appears we are becoming fluent in keeping our distances and appreciating the importance of ‘flattening the curve’. However, while social distancing is a vital measure to improve public health, it also brings with it the adverse effects of social isolation. This is creating a scenario where we concurrently need to reduce physical distance, while at the same time, increase our social and relational ties, not only to flatten the coronavirus curve, but meanwhile slow down the loneliness from rising alongside it.
So, what is loneliness?
Loneliness is a complex phenomenon that is hard to put down in words. The fact that it is unpleasant however, is well known to most. In Genesis, Adam and Eve’s punishment for disobeying God was their exile from Eden. In the current day, the ultimate punishment for those in correctional centres, would be solitary confinement, exiled from any human contact or interaction.
Loneliness can be problematic because it has the potential to significantly compromise our health. In fact, both loneliness and social isolation, particularly when they persist for a long time, have been associated with an impact on health comparable to that of high blood pressure, lack of exercise, obesity or smoking. Depression and loneliness also share a close, almost symbiotic relationship and can lead to feelings of helplessness, disturbed sleeping patters and overall, create diminished willpower to engage in healthy behaviour. These symptoms can, in turn, easily branch out into additional health complications. Overall, social isolation is associated with a higher risk of poor physical and mental health, including depression and is significantly associated with an increased risk of psychological distress.
Where do we stand as a society?
The need for meaningful social connection, and the pain we feel without it, are defining characteristics of our species. Given that the battle to stop the spread of COVID-19 could take months and that our patterns of social interaction could remain altered for a while even after that, the risk of an increase in the prevalence of loneliness is very realistic.
While social isolation has often been found to be a predictor of loneliness, it is helpful to note that research does point out that not seeing others does not however necessarily correlate with loneliness. This means that not all those who are socially isolated necessarily will experience loneliness. Very often what we need is not more social connections, but ones that feel meaningful. The experience of social isolation felt by those experiencing it is in fact more closely related to the quality than the quantity of social interactions.
This would mean that, notwithstanding the sudden halt in our daily behaviours and interactions in society, it is possible to pull through without necessarily needing to fear becoming lonely. Of course, as individuals, families, friends, as a network and as a society, we need to tread carefully, watch out for red flags along the way and reach out to those who we know may be more at risk.
The unexpected shifting of what used to be our normality benchmark, the loss of our usual social interactions, maybe of parts of our responsibilities or areas within which we would normally feel we could contribute, and for many, the uncertainty of employment and income, all while witnessing the distressing global impact of this pandemic, will prove to be a challenge for many of us and could lead to increasing feelings of loneliness over time. Relational connection therefore becomes especially important during the COVID-19 tsunami. Our efforts to protect the vulnerable, extend beyond merely physically distancing them from possible exposure to the virus.
How can we help?
At a time when we need each other more, being pulled apart from life-sustaining interactions can easily lead to emotional storms. It is therefore critically important to foster connection during the current pandemic, to provide mutual protection and assistance. In addition to practicing self-care, looking outside can help us come together as a society to face these troubling times with unified strength.
Call a neighbour, check on them to make sure they’re ok, write to people to let them know you’re thinking of them. Ask for help and reach out when you feel you need it. Talking or writing to a loved one can help both us and them feel connected. Connection deficit may exacerbate the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness, and diminish physical and emotional resilience that people will need to fight the COVID-19 virus, so that little gesture can help in more ways than you could have thought. Social connection can improve the cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems’ performance, all of which could help people reduce the risk of contracting or fighting the COVID-19 virus.
With key players noting that, “The mental health impact of the pandemic will last longer than the physical impact”, connecting meaningfully can make all the difference in these trying times. Through boosting connections while maintaining physical distances, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, especially those we know are more vulnerable. Through these small, yet very big gestures, we can survive through this pandemic united and combat the epidemic of loneliness as well.