Symptoms
Despite the propaganda of the ‘Blitz Spirit’ holding society together, only around 20% reported improvement in altruistic behaviour such as helping neighbours and those in need. Over half of those surveyed said their behaviour hadn’t changed in the period. This can’t be helped by the government telling people to snitch on neighbours for breaching lockdown rules!
Among the statistics, which is from anonymous surveys of 2,000 people in the UK, 25% of elderly respondents reported increased stress levels – not helped no doubt by having to shield or keep away from their younger family. Among younger people, 50% of those surveyed felt more lonely during the pandemic.
Across all age groups, 40% of women felt more stressed due to the situation.
What helped?
The things that seemed to help ease lockdown stress were personally nourishing activity. Getting in touch with friends or family was a big factor – even by Zoom or phone seems to have reduced the feeling of being couped up. For those lucky enough to have it available, a good shag improved people’s moods too!!!
Physical activity seems to have improved moods too – and not just horizontal jogging. Getting out in the hills for a walk or a Zoom based home gym session seems to have helped.
Physical exercise and emotional connection aren’t the only things. I have a saying that ‘the Devil makes work for idle minds’. The research showed that learning new skills or engaging in a hobby helped.
Worryingly for the government, following media reports was an important factor in stress reduction. Why worrying? The survey also asked what people thought of the government’s handling of the crisis and just 17% said they were completely happy with its actions.
What should this mean for you?
Reading through the Southampton University press release behind this study that hit my desk this week and in my general observation there are two mindsets people have in lockdown – those who crumple and fall apart and those who make a plan.
In our gilded cages we need to think of how to make life worthwhile. What interests us? What issues would we really like to change in our lives? Can we tweak something to sort our internal house out? Those who plan to go kick arse while locked up will find purpose and flow to their restricted existences. They will do better than those who rot in their own misery and eat too many cakes.
COH-FIT study needs participants
The preliminary results above come from the ‘Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times’ (COH-FIT) study led by Southampton University. 100 countries have the same questionnaires going out to analyse how people of the world are responding mentally to lockdown and the pandemic.
Lead psychiatrist Samuele Cortese said, “The approach we are taking will help us learn more about the risk to people’s mental and physical health as a result of the pandemic, as well as possible protective factors. It’s very important that we encourage as many people as possible to take part in the survey as the results will inform health policies in the UK and internationally after the pandemic is over, including what actions could be taken to help those most affected should other pandemics arise.”
Despite being run from the UK there haven’t been that many UK participants! Just 2,000 people from here have participated, as against 8,000 in Germany and 10,000 in Italy. You can sign up to report your own mental health anonymously – and your kids who are from 6 years old and up – on the website at www.coh-fit.com
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