How Can I Thrive in Isolation?

We ask Dr. Rima Styra, psychiatrist

- Courtney Shea

The pandemic has forced us to scale down our social lives and even isolate for long periods of time. How does this affect our mental health?

Part of the way we feel valued is through social interaction. Spending time with others—whether it’s going for a walk with a neighbour, visiting with grandkids or interacting with our colleagues—provides us with positive feedback that is good for our overall state of mind and self-esteem. When we don’t have that, it becomes a lot easier to feel down.

Does that explain why anxiety and depression rates are way up since last March?