This document discusses the effects of social distancing and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that social isolation can lead to increased risk of depression, anxiety, poor sleep, cognitive decline, and other issues. The document provides suggestions for coping with social isolation, including understanding the situation, changing expectations, exercising, pursuing hobbies, maintaining schedules and social connections, being kind, and managing news intake. It emphasizes the importance of both mental and physical health during this time of social distancing.

1. CORONAVIRUS:
Social Distancing-Social Isolation, It’s
Effects and How To Cope
Muhammad Musa Bala

2. BACKGROUND
The rate at which coronavirus can be transmitted is
scary and the most powerful tool we have to slow
its spread is by observing a social distance, which is
why almost all countries have called for lockdown
to encourage people to maintain social distance.
While we try to curb the virus we forget a crucial
fact; We are fundamentally social beings, and social
distancing can weight a lot on our psychological
wellbeing.
Although there’s been no time to study the effects
of social distancing related specifically to the
coronavirus, we know a great deal about the impact
of social isolation on mental and physical health. It’s
often experienced as highly stressful, and the stress
can become toxic. Isolation, particularly when it
causes loneliness, increases the risk of anxiety and
depression (Miller, 2020). This paper understands
social isolation as induced by social distancing in its
general concept – not specific to coronavirus.

3. EFFECTS OF SOCIAL DISTANCING – SOCIAL ISOLATION
Research indicates that Social Isolation
is a risk factor for and may contribute to
“poorer overall cognitive performance
and poorer executive functioning, faster
cognitive decline, more negative and
depressive cognition, heightened
sensitivity to social threats, and a self-
protective confirmatory bias in social
cognition” (Cacioppo & Hawkley, 2009).
Social isolation has been associated with adverse psychological
consequences including:
I. Depression
II. Anxiety
III. poor sleep quality
IV. impaired executive function
V. accelerated cognitive decline
VI. poor cardiovascular function
VII. Dementia in adults

4. All of us are vulnerable to the negative emotions that accompanies social
distancing. In this current public health crisis that we are facing, Below are a
few suggestions for practicing good psychological hygiene.
 Understand the situation: Acknowledge what’s happening, and that it’s
stressful. Because it is. Acknowledgement is a remarkable adaptive skill.
 Change your expectations: Be easy on yourself, you add to your own
stress levels by creating goals that are unrealistic as feelings following
inability to achieve a goal can be harmful.
COPING WITH THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL DISTANCING – SOCIAL ISOLATION

5.  Exercise regularly: exercise is a good outlet for the stress initiated by
maintaining a social distance.
 Do what you enjoy doing: observing your hobbies can prove very
productive at this time – especially if it can be done indoors, be it
gaming, reading, writing or baking. Get creative.
 Exercise regularly: exercise is a good outlet for the stress initiated by
maintaining a social distance.
 Keep to a schedule: a schedule helps to keep the mind engaged, and
this helps to see the positive side of this moment as every minute is
being utilized as planned.
 Stay connected: Social distancing only leads to feelings of social
isolation when you completely lose touch with the outside world. This
can be prevented by calling, texting, skyping, mailing etc.
 Be kind: It doesn’t just benefit someone else; you reap the rewards too.
According to research, when you do something nice for someone else,
your brain’s pleasure and reward centers light up. It’s called the
“helper’s high.”
 Manage your news intake: Stick to reliable news outlets. Rumors
spread quickly and feed into the panic. Know everything you need to
know about the virus from the Nigerian Center for Disease Control
(NCDC).

6. CONCLUSION
In an effort to combat the novel Coronavirus, people are advised to stay at
home for lengthy periods of time, having no communication with family,
acquaintances or friends. This necessary action can lead to a range of
psychological issues that may last even after the lockdown imposed by
most countries. However, with the right mindset this problem can be
prevented by activities we deem menial but are both mind and body
engaging in nature.
As you try to maintain a healthy psyche, do not forget to maintain a healthy
body. Stay Home!!! Stay Safe!!!
Photos: JCI Nigeria Northeast Collegiate

7. Muhammad Musa Bala, a Kanuri from Nasarawa
State, Nigeria; is a graduate of psychology from
the noble Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria.
Currently serving under the National Youth Service
Corps (NYSC) at Specialist Hospital Yola, Nigeria. In
this paper he collects literatures (Research
Findings) on self isolation – its effects and gives
coping strategies to address issues of self
distancing as a result of coronavirus.
He is still a student subscriber to the Nigerian
Psychological Association (NPA).
For Contributions and reviews:
Muhammadmusabala85@gmail.com
(+234)8093474141
Twitter: @mousssa_mbm

8. REFERENCES
Cacioppo, J. T.; Hawkley, L. C. (2003). Social Isolation and Health, with an Emphasis on
Underlying Mechanisms. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine. 46 (3): S39–52.
Cacioppo, J. T.; Hawkley, L. C. (2009). Perceived social isolation and cognition. Trends in
Cognitive Sciences. 13 (10)
Miller, K. E. (2020). The Refugee Experience. Let's Aim for Physical Rather Than Social
Distancing. Sussex Publishers, LLC.
Qualter, P.; Brown, S. L.; Penny, M.; Rotenberg, K. (2009). Childhood loneliness as a
predictor of adolescent depressive symptoms: an 8-year longitudinal study.
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 19 (6): 493–501.