No, You're Not Going Crazy — Social Distancing IS Hard On Your Mental Health

As we continue to practice social distancing because of coronavirus, we see that everyone is in panic and fear. Yet, we are taking the precautions by practicing social distancing, and of course, washing our hands. Yet, when we practice social distancing, our mental health could suffer. We are asked to stay shut in our homes and not contact the outside world to prevent the virus from spreading even more in our communities and our nation. It is true that we have technological resources, yet we ask is that enough for us?

As much as this generation cannot live without their phones, some people truly can't live without their friends and family.

There are people who are suffering from mental illness, and they cope by using communication. With social distancing, mental health counselors can't do their jobs of helping people. Even though we have sources such as Skype, WhatsApp, or FaceTime, it's still not enough for people who suffer from anxiety or depression. For people who suffer through mental health, they think of this like solitary confinement, where you feel alone and an outcast to the world. Being on quarantine gives us time to do things around the house, but is it enough?

Not only does being on quarantine can lose communication physically, but this can affect people who enjoy being outside. When people look outside, they see a beautiful day ready to be embraced. However, counties are locking down, ordering citizens to stay inside unless it's an absolute emergency — solitary confinement. But you CAN use things in your surroundings, even though people get tired of doing the same thing over and over again.

You don't have to have been diagnosed with a mental illness for this social isolation to impact you — it can affect anybody. If I'm being honest, it affects me. I'm sick of doing the same thing everyday. Doing the same routine. Being in the same room. After a while, it gets boring and annoying.

Yet, some people are looking at this quarantine as a vacation.

To everyone who is not taking this seriously, think about everyone who is suffering through this difficult time.

Think about the elderly with a weak immune system, who can easily catch this virus. Think about first responders who keep our communities in balance, even though they are risking their lives. Think about people in the health field, who are tired, and want to see their families, but they can't because of the crisis that is happening in our nation. Lastly, think about people who are suffering from mental health. People who are suffering from mental health have to stay in their homes with all they can do is the things around their homes. Doing the same thing every day until this crisis is over. It can be frustrating for anyone.

Think about them, the next time you do something out of selfishness.