Is Lockdown Making you Sick?

BY TARA MYSHRALL

Many of us have pandemic fatigue. We are sick and tired of being locked down in our homes. The main issues are that we are feeling lonely, idle, uncertain and this is affecting our physical and mental health.

As we’re forced to stay indoors we are being faced with loneliness, a feeling that is extremely detrimental to the human spirit. We are a connected creative species and we need to be around other humans to connect to their energy, relate and empathize. Even introverts need to be around people – the only difference is that they go within when they need to recover and rejuvenate.

This feeling of loneliness comes after being forced to withdraw from those we love and many of us have gone many months without seeing important members of our families and friends. Research shows that chronic loneliness can have a significant impact on your overall health. Some studies even suggest there’s a link between loneliness and dementia.

Although we are being forced to stay inside there seems to be idle energy and a lack of movement that is also impacting many of those around us. Many are missing the days of the gym, yoga, boot camp classes and different martial arts because it was a way to release tension from not only the exercise but also the social interaction as this has been removed. Many of us are struggling to replace it with something that serves in the same way. With this lack of movement, a new lethargic way sets in making us feel sluggish and coupled with the shortened days and the lack of sunshine leave us all feeling quite depleted.

There’s a real sense of uncertainty in our future that compounds the loneliness. As we ride the second wave of COVID the uncertainly may drive feelings of scarcity as we don’t know what our relationships, schooling, extra-curricular activities and careers hold for us.

My mission has been to surf these waves of uncertainty and leverage this time to go within and get creative with the future I will have after COVID. It is downright difficult at times to stay positive and stay in the state of abundance and possibilities. My friends, even though it is hard,  even though I feel lonely, idle and uncertain, I have trust that we will come out of this better as a collective.

What helps me is to get back to the simple joys in life.  Walking in the woods and the warm sun basking in my face, the sound of the trees bustling in the wind, the crunch of the crisp snow under my boots. Paying attention to these simple joys really helps me to stay in the present moment.

Getting out and walking and moving with our friends, colleagues, loved ones we may maintain social distancing but we still get to interact with them. This is what our soul needs right now, as it can be very difficult to connect in the same way over a zoom call. That movement will help remind us, that walk will release those endorphins and help us feel somewhat normal again.

Lastly, if you are struggling with loneliness, what about giving back in some way? When you feel uncertain, give back to those around you and help with their needs. This in turn will leave you feeling more fulfilled.  Make an appointment and give blood, deliver a meal, pick up a senior’s medication or shovel your neighbour’s driveway.  This contribution will help switch you from an uncertain scarcity mindset to one of abundance.

When our spiritual, mental and physical health is at risk, we must decide what story we will play in our minds.  We must decide how we will pull through this, and then put all of our energy into making that outcome our reality.