Wellness in the Age of COVID: The Power of Social Networks
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has affected the lives of just about everyone on the planet. Each day seems like an altered version of our previous existence, with familiar routines replaced by entirely new habits.
At this point, we are well acquainted with the concept of ‘social distancing’ — minimizing close contact with others in order to reduce the spread of the virus. Among other things, this means avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings, wearing proper protective equipment, limiting contact with people who are at higher risk and keeping a distance of approximately two metres from others at all times.
In terms of how social distancing has changed our former routines, it has meant eating out less, if at all; reducing or eliminating travel outside of the country; teenagers missing out on school dances; and people being interviewed for jobs via Zoom. We are living in a truly paradoxical situation: Social distancing makes it significantly more difficult to maintain our relationships and can therefore weaken communities; but the research is clear that in order to maintain our well-being, we need our communities more than ever in times of crisis.
The question is, ‘How can we maintain social distancing for a long period of time in a healthy manner?’ In this article we will discuss the impact of social distancing on wellness in three key areas: psychological health, sociological health, and physical health. Along the way we will make some recommendations informed by Behavioural Science for maintaining your wellness during this trying time.
The Impact on Psychological Health
Stress related to lifestyle changes and fear of the pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health worldwide. According to a report by , five
