Why you should read this article?
Since covid-19, it has been apparent that drastic changes in society have taken place. One of these changes is the will of companionship in people. I have noticed how many of my acquaintances and friends have since then become anti-social. From going out everyday and hanging out with friends, to not going out at all, is a problem many face.
Does isolation change our behavior?
A recent study from the University of Vienna explored how social isolation affects energy levels. Participants were isolated for eight hours, after which they reported feeling more fatigued. Researchers Giorgia Silani and Ana Stijovic suggested several possible reasons for this. One theory is that the body responds to a lack of social contact by trying to maintain balance, which reduces energy. Reduced external stimuli in isolation may also cause boredom, contributing to tiredness.
Social contact is a basic need for many species. Studies on animals like rodents and primates show that even short periods of isolation can result in stress and depressive behaviours. For humans, extended loneliness can have harmful effects on cognitive function, mental health, and even life expectancy, increasing risks for conditions like depression, dementia and certain cancers.
The study focused on two different settings, which are a controlled lab environment and the lockdown, which took place because of COVID-19. Participants in the lab expressed a stronger desire for social contact compared to those in lockdown, possibly because the lab felt uncomfortable and serious for the participants. Few studies have examined the impact of isolation in a controlled way due to ethical concerns. It is important to note, that researchers are not able to conduct more studies due to it being morally incorrect. However, personality traits such as extrovertism and introvertism may change the outcome of the research. When taken away from people, extroverts suffer more than introverts. More research is necessary to fully understand these effects.
Dieser Lesetipp stammt von Elena Mijucic, Schülerin der 5BK der Schulen des BFI Wien.
Dies ist ein Lesetipp zum Beitrag: Alleinsein macht müde
