March 29, 2024
Effective Ways Of Dealing With Loneliness During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Effective Ways Of Dealing With Loneliness During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Never in a million years did we picture a scenario where staying away from those we care about would help save their lives. These are things we see in films where superheroes are forced to steer clear of their families to save them. Unfortunately, social distancing and self-isolation have become the new normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting everyone worldwide. One of the main effects of the stay-at-home orders has been the worsening of loneliness. If you begin to feel overwhelmed by loneliness, you should reach out to Dr. Alexander Alvarado; a licensed psychologist of Thriving Mind Psychology.

Several studies have revealed that self-isolation can lead to inflammation. This is because loneliness can alter the genes expression by decreasing the expression of leukocytes, which are the cells responsible for the antiviral response.

Additionally, loneliness reduces the ability to manage stress effectively. Most families are grappling with the fear of losing a loved one or not being able to receive care if they happen to contract the virus. Also, getting out of the house has become so stressful because of the fear of the unknown.  For people who are living alone, loneliness makes it challenging to think positively, to concentrate on work, or even get the right hours of sleep.

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There are several things you can do to manage the feelings of loneliness during COVID-19.

Maintain Virtual Connections

We all know that meeting up with friends and family is impossible at the moment. However, this does not mean that you can’t stay in touch. Thanks to technology, various social media platforms allow us to chat with our loved ones via video calls. Setting up a group call can help you catch up with all your friends, which will get your mind off isolation. Additionally, you can decide to switch from messaging to calls. Hearing a familiar voice can help you feel more connected hence reduce loneliness.

Create A Routine

It is easy for us to get into a funk, especially if you are currently not working or if you are in school, and fewer learning hours are leaving you with more time on your hands. It’s therefore advisable to structure your day and create a routine to keep you occupied throughout the day. Additionally, it gives you control over your life and ensures that you can complete the things on your to-do list.

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Try Doing Something New

Now is the best time to try that one thing that you always set aside for the future. If you have access to the internet, you could try taking an online course. There are currently so many free courses being offered by reputable institutions. You may decide to learn a new skill such as computer programming or do a refresher course in French. Additionally, you could look up a few baking recipes. Did you know that banana bread was the most searched for recipe on Google in March this year?

Find Ways Of Helping Others

You must have come across the video of Chinese heroes who volunteered to go to pet owners’ houses who could not get home due to the lockdown. These volunteers went to various homes and fed the pets as well as changed their litter boxes.

Once you have tried these steps and still don’t feel like the feelings have improved, it’s best to seek professional help. Dr. Alexander Alvarado and his team from Thriving Mind Psychology are there for you offering telemedicine to ensure that all clients receive the care required to help them better their lives.