Australians are well-versed in the symptoms of COVID-19 but assessing our mental well-being after weeks of lockdown is less well-known.
Griffith social work expert Dr Jennifer Boddy is concerned that as the novelty of our new normal wears thin despite relaxing restrictions, a wave of collective cabin fever may set in as we experience glimpses of pre-pandemic life.
She said cabin fever was a catch-all term for the feelings we experience after prolonged isolation.
“It can typically involve feeling bored, frustrated, lonely, anxious, depressed, angry, and so on.”
Losing the ability to control our actions affects our sense of autonomy and increases the likelihood of experiencing cabin fever according to Dr Boddy. Losing a job can also affect our sense of competence that comes from working.
“Making decisions over our day-to-day activities is lessened when we’re forced to socially isolate.”
Dr Boddy says our cabin fever can be aggravated by other stressors in our life.
“If we’re experiencing stress, and particularly financial stress as a result of being isolated, that can mean that we experience cabin fever worse than others.”
Lacking access to good quality information about what is happening can also compound our feelings of isolation but excess use of social media is not the cure.
“It is really important to use social media wisely and to make sure that we don’t overdo it. We should also be careful about what sources of information we access.”
She said using social media to connect with friends and family helps reduce our feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Dr Boddy says the most critical thing we can do to survive the social distancing demands of the COVID-19 pandemic is to keep a routine and practise self-care.
“Keep structure to your day, if we’re continuing to work that is easier to do but even for people who no longer have employment, keeping structure and routine in your day is very important.”
“Keeping structure and routine in your day is very important.”
Tips for surviving the pandemic
- Keep a routine
- Exercise
- Get some sun
- Keep a diary
- Listen to music
- Focus on projects
- Connect and reflect with others
- Be mindful of challenges for others
