Physical - psychological effects of quarantine

In my previous article, I wrote about the importance of maintaining balanceto weave harmony and peace through everyday life. The quarantine period is over, although many places still keep working from home. They assume that precaution is the key, and that if it has worked well so far, there is no urgency to reinstate it.

This period has left a different mark on each of us, and has resulted in different experiences. Every change has an impact on on the individual and on society in general. And then who knows what comes next...
I look at the physical - psychological effects of quarantine in this writing, as I experienced it. All the thoughts and knowledge would not fit into an article - which discusses the effects of karaten - so my aim is simply to invite you to a little reflection. A few minutes of silence with yourself, at least while you read this article.

This situation has never happened before

I recently read on the Semmelweis Clinic website that 200 researchers from 75 countries are taking part in a project to study the physical and psychological effects of quarantine caused by the coronavirus. In Hungary the study is being led by the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Semmelweis University.

The current situation is completely new - very different from the changes that have taken place so far. The epidemic has come at a time of turmoil, natural disasters, terrorism and other threats - the world is restless and weary. Climate change, wars, the migration crisis, the upheaval of the world order, political and ideological changes are putting a lot of pressure on many, and are having a greater or lesser impact on almost everyone. Children are also affected, even if they are more resilient.They are also affected by other physiological and biological changes that make their lives even more difficult.

The quarantine situation was a challenge for most families, and its effects are still being felt today. More time together gives us a better insight into each other's feelings and needs. Often, personality traits that had previously been swept under the carpet were revealed.
Strong emotions may surface, even old grievances. I confess, I relived an unpleasant case of psychological abuse in high school - when I found injustice and psychological terror under digital education instead of support.

Reproducing problems on the digital plane

It multiplies the perceived gravity of the problems - that perhaps in the known history of humanity, in the transformation of the digital age - we are so close to the problems that we can often feel lost. It seems as if the rug has been pulled out from under us without us being directly affected. 

Social media can further stir our emotions in an already precarious situation. It also often has the advantage of getting relevant information to us relatively quickly and efficiently, which can be a life-saver. However, we are also exposed to a great deal of fake news, information distorted out of simple ignorance or even deliberate malice, which weakens our individual and collective defences against an epidemic. 

The peculiarity of the present situation is that people's psychological immune systems are already weakened by the prolonged and unresolved global tensions, constraints, rules, uncertainties, which the negative amplification effect of social media only weakens further - it makes people even more vulnerable.

How can we help ourselves?

Reducing the negative effects - in any change - is based on the individual's self-monitoring.

Let's ask ourselves similar questions:

• How do I react, what is going on inside me?
• What are my feelings, physical symptoms?
• How patient, calm and balanced am I?
• Do I feel insecure, worried about the future or about anyone?
• Do I have enough energy as before, or do I feel more tired, exhausted?

The keyword for the next step is "how"

What can I do to live more calmly / or to deal with conflicts and tensions quickly and easily?

Let me give you a personal example. At the beginning of the quarantine, I didn't know where to go, entrepreneurs suspended their activities one after the other, and the rescue packages started. It had such a negative impact on me that I had to consider what the crowd was doing.
The difficulties were also multiplied: I am a mother, teacher, housewife, supportive wife and entrepreneur all in one.

Then I managed to wake up from this nightmare within a short time - I avoided all the media news, social heat, and focused inward, on myself.

What if this were not the case? - I asked myself.

I got the answers and started working in a structured way. I also taught my children to be organised, as life was not easy for them in "school". 

What helped me during quarantine

For stamina, for energy, you had to exclude all destructive influences, relationships, activities, and I had to restructure my life, my habits. Many of my habitual activities and behaviours no longer served my positive purpose in life, so I had to throw them out of the window.
I put on my battle dress, I put my armour around me, so that the destructive attacks and thoughts would not reach my heart and soul. Because if they are damaged, it is very difficult to get back from there.

What did you do? What worked for you, or what didn't work? If you want to share your titanilla@titanilaeideh.com by email.

I wish you a good day,
Titanilla

p.s.: scroll down to find my other articles on this topic