HUMANITY
Surviving the Pandemic: How Social Connections Preserved My Sanity and Boosted My Well-Being
The power of social connections for mental health during challenging times
“Social connection is such a basic feature of human experience that when we are deprived of it, we suffer.” — Leonard Mlodinow
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely challenging for young and old alike.
Early in the pandemic, we were asked to hunker down at home and stay safe.
Simple activities like a trip to the grocery store or dining out with friends were dangerous, risky, or even prohibited.
So, we mainly ventured outdoors for long walks as a family.
Social connections
I discovered that what I missed most during that surreal period were the social connections that shape our everyday lives and well-being.
Social connections, in a nutshell, mean the feeling that we belong to a group and feel close to other people.
Scientific evidence strongly suggests this is a core psychological need, which is essential to feeling satisfied with your life.
Studies
- One study showed that social connections are a more significant determinant of health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.
- Another study showed that social isolation and loneliness were two times more harmful than obesity on mental and physical health.
- Social connections are essential in the battle against depression, improving one’s mood and changing one’s perspective on life.
My experience
During the pandemic lockdown, we were allowed to venture out for essential items such as food, medicine, and takeout on an as-needed basis.
The feeling of being outside the house — even performing such mundane tasks as grocery shopping — seemed dangerous yet exciting.
I would exchange pleasantries and have brief conversations with everyone, including the cashier at the local grocery store, the barista at the coffeeshop, or the vendor at the local farmer’s market.
I would chat with the cashier and completely lose sight of the fact that we were in the middle of a global pandemic. Minutes would pass, and I would be utterly oblivious to the fact that I should always stand behind the plexiglass barrier that separates the employee from the customer.
Fortunately, I was always masked up and socially distanced from others, so I was still safe.
However, I discovered that what I missed most during that surreal period were the social connections that shape our everyday lives and well-being.
Modern Technology
“Social media and other digital technologies like email, texting, FaceTime, and WhatsApp have been indispensable in helping us remain connected. The pandemic would have been even worse if people could not connect digitally, and indeed it is worse for people who cannot do so.”- Mary Chayko, a Rutgers sociologist of communication, technology.
Thanks to today’s modern technology, we may connect with friends and relatives anywhere in the world, but it can never replace meeting someone face-to-face.
Takeaway
Humans are a profoundly social species. Indeed, we crave face-to-face human interaction. Now that we are returning to normalcy, I honestly feel these tiny life moments kept me going.
The simple act of venturing outside and interacting with another human being on a personal level (at least occasionally) made all the difference.
What did you miss the most during the pandemic? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
