Awakening to the Ill Effects of Social Isolation

In the course of my work, I have been doing a fair amount of research on the notion of social isolation. This research is clear as to the negative effects that are associated with being disconnected from other people. The evidence is striking that with social isolation comes increased depression, greater health disparities, deeper loneliness, poorer nutrition, disruption in sleep, and even greater susceptibility to other illnesses. The negative outcomes are so stark that some nations, most notably the UK, have initiated nationwide agendas that focus on this problem.

Academically and informationally this is notable, but more powerful is that each and everyone of us are now (and have been for the past 10 months) living within the framework of this issue of social isolation. It is as if the entire world is the part of a social isolation research project with the COVID virus controlling the variables…..and the realities are mounting. I know for me, I am really feeling the stresses and strains of isolation. Things like not being able to pick up and spend time with people, not being able to attend sporting events, being held back from the pleasures of live entertainment and the like all have their consequences.

We hear daily reports of the mounting depression and mental health issues that are becoming more stark. I even heard an recent report suggesting that our pandemic-oriented social isolation has played a role in promoting the crazy and weird conspiracy theories that, in some regard, led way to the recent insurrection of the Capitol…… and has emboldened fringe elected leaders to publicly tout these outlandish falsehoods.

We know that there is light at the end of the social isolation tunnel, but even getting the vaccine has led way to frustrations that are near panic levels. People are struggling to get information on how they can get the vaccine and this just exacerbates the other ill effects associated with social isolation.

Certainly, when a notion moves from being an academic area of study, to a real aspect in our lives, it is time to awaken.