Stacy is a young graduate. She recently got a job in her field and moved out on her own. Stacey likes to start her days by going to the gym. She loves to workout, as it gives her energy and makes her feel strong and confident. After a long day of work, she likes to hang out with her friends at a local café. During the weekends, she usually makes plans to go for dinner and sometimes dancing. Stacy is an extrovert who thrives when she is with other people.

When the first lockdown happened, she wasn’t too worried. She was sure that life would go back to normal after a couple of weeks. However, just like the rest of us, she soon realized that COVID-19 did not go away. Stacy had to work from home, her gym closed and seeing friends become more difficult. After a couple months of the lockdown, Stacy started feeling depressed. She had no motivation to do work, felt like she had no energy to do the things she used to enjoy and even responding to her friends’ texts felt like a chore sometimes. She used to love being social but now she feels tired, sad, and lonely.

Humans are a social species. We require frequent social interaction and connection to thrive in our environment. Like Stacy, many of us were deprived of social interaction when the first lockdown occurred. A key part of our human nature was taken away due to the virus. The stress of the pandemic and the loneliness of being home all the time can easily take a toll on one’s mental health. According to the government of Canada’s report on Mental Health during COVID-19 times, these are some common reactions of the pandemic outbreak:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Worsening of health problems
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, etc.

If you struggle with symptoms of depression or anxiety, here are a few possible reasons why.

Lockdowns have led to more time indoors

Whether we realize it or not, there is a big link between spending time outside and one’s mental health. Countless studies have shown that being outside and in nature, even for a few minutes, can quickly boost your mood and reduce stress. This is because spending time outside boosts your dopamine and endorphin levels, making your mood better. With COVID-19 and the lockdowns, we are spending more time in our homes and spending less time outside. We spend less time in the sun so our mood is bound to decrease. Additionally, in the colder months, it is natural for our mood to decrease. With the sun setting earlier and the cold climate we are more vulnerable to things like Seasonal Affective Disorder. Combining that with a lockdown is a recipe for depression.

Lack of access to gyms, restaurants, and more

One of the things that make lockdowns especially hard is the lack of access to gyms, indoor dining, and other activities. Similar to Stacy, many of us rely on gyms and other activities to keep ourselves in check. Going out and doing activities adds value to our lives and makes every day different. When we’re in lockdown, every day is the same. We wake up, make our morning coffee, get started on work, and before we know it, the whole day has gone by. It almost feels like we are reliving the same day over and over again.

Now, you might be wondering what you can do to make lockdowns easier. In times like these, it is important to keep your mood boosted. For example, you can connect with friends. Try activities like going on walks, planning Zoom calls, and even playing online games together. These are great ways to connect with friends and maintain a community.

One thing that has helped many people in these times is picking up new hobbies or projects. Despite how hard it is to be at home all the time, now is a great time to start new projects! If you’ve been contemplating moving around some furniture, now is a great time to do that! If over the past few years you’ve been thinking of ways to decorate your house, make some DIY home decor! We have so much time on our hands that now is the perfect opportunity to try new things!