Amy & Aron's

For those of us who are still dealing with the lockdown in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there are some expected and unexpected ways it has been affecting our life. One expected way is that some of us have put on a little extra chub thanks to a new sedentary lifestyle. But one unexpected way is the impact it can have on our emotional and mental health. Here’s why it’s crucial to make sure that we’re keeping in touch and checking up with those we care about, even if we can’t meet in person just yet.



Fighting isolation is most important of all

There are a lot of ways that the current pandemic and other social issues happening right now are affecting our mental health. However, the inability to spend time with those we love is likely what’s having the greatest impact of all. Simply taking the time to spend an evening or a couple of hours with those you love can be a huge benefit to their mental health. It’s especially important for those who are vulnerable, like the elderly. Social isolation has been connected to not only emotional health issues, but also long-term mental health, like contributing to a higher risk of dementia over time.

We can turn to some unhealthy coping mechanisms

Talking to those who care about us and airing our issues is a stress relief measure in and of itself. It can help us cope with our emotions in a healthy way. Without that access, we can turn to much unhealthier coping mechanisms instead. For instance, consider your loved ones who might have had substance abuse issues before. Even those who have recovered can have their mental health tested by the extraordinary circumstances that we’re living in and time at a dual diagnosis treatment center might help them. For that reason, be sure to check on those who are extra vulnerable to the unhealthiest of coping mechanisms. If they are likely to go down this route, perhaps you could help them look into an outpatient mental health treatment center to stop it from getting quite that far.