Break out of post-COVID isolation

Q: I am 68 and live alone. I haven’t been able to snap out of the isolation that descended on me during the pandemic. It’s pretty depressing. Any suggestions?

Alice F., Port Washington,

New York

A: You’re not alone in feeling a continuing impact from the “shelter in place” habits that were adopted during the pandemic. The repercussions are far-reaching. You become more vulnerable to accelerated aging if you’re less physically active; to anxiety, depression and cognitive dysfunction from lack of social support; and to a range of chronic conditions from obesity and cancer to cardiovascular disease, which develop as a result of physical and emotional strains.

To emerge from isolation, you want to build your trust in the outside world and reclaim an active and engaged life. The first step is a total health check-up to make sure you’re up-to-date on your vaccinations and to determine the safest, most effective forms of physical activity for you. You also want to upgrade your diet so it supports optimal health. Next, reach out to friends and family to create a posse that supports you through shared activities, interests and care. You also can take advantage of programs run by local state or federal agencies that offer gatherings, outdoor community gardening, etc.

Q: Can you explain what relaxation is and how I can achieve it?

Stacey T., Salem, Oregon

A: There are two kinds of relaxation, physical and emotional.

Everyone may have different ways of relaxing that work for them — or that work at one time but not another. And remember, physical and emotional tension are often a loop.

When you relax physically and emotionally, your heart rate slows and your blood pressure can go down. Inflammation also is tamped down, protecting organs from damage. As a result, you may find that you sleep better, have improved digestion, have fewer headaches and aches and pains, are less likely to catch a cold, and have better relationships.