Emotional Consequences of Social Isolation
Social isolation is a situation where an individual experiences loneliness because they have limited contact with others. This can happen due to several reasons such as living alone, working from home, being in quarantine, living in rural areas, aging, or having disabilities. The impact of social isolation extends beyond just emotional health but also affects physical health, cognitive function, productivity, and quality of life. It has been proven that social isolation increases the risk of developing various illnesses including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure. In this article, I will discuss some of the emotional consequences of social isolation on unit performance and wellbeing.
Low Morale
Social isolation reduces motivation which leads to low morale among individuals. People who are socially isolated may feel less motivated to do anything because they lack support from their friends or family members. They become demotivated when it comes to achieving goals or completing tasks.
A student who studies alone at home might find it hard to concentrate and complete assignments.
People who work alone tend to lose interest in what they do which affects their productivity negatively. Such individuals experience low self-esteem, frustration, and sadness. Low morale often results in poor decision making, poor time management skills, and procrastination.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental conditions experienced by people who suffer from social isolation. When someone feels lonely, they become overwhelmed by negative thoughts leading to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. This can lead to suicidal thoughts and even attempts. According to a study conducted by Cigna in 2019, loneliness was found to be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes daily, with 46% of Americans reporting sometimes or always feeling alone. It was also discovered that social isolation increased the risk of dying by 30%. The isolation can make people withdraw emotionally and physically from others, resulting in depression.
Anxiety
Anxiety is another emotion associated with social isolation. This is because when someone lacks social interaction, they are more likely to fear being judged or rejected by others. Social anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme shyness or worry about social situations such as meeting new people, speaking in public or attending events. People who live alone may have difficulty forming relationships due to lack of practice or exposure to real life experiences. As a result, they develop anxiety towards socializing.
Social isolation increases stress levels which leads to panic attacks and other physical symptoms like sweating and rapid heartbeat.
Decreased Performance
Social isolation has been linked to decreased performance among employees. This is especially true for those working remotely without supervision from their managers or colleagues. Without regular interactions with coworkers, people tend to lose focus and motivation, affecting their productivity negatively. They might procrastinate on important tasks or fail to complete them on time. A study carried out by Harvard Business Review revealed that remote workers reported feeling less connected to their team members, resulting in lower performance.
This trend could be reversed if organizations provide adequate support systems such as video conferencing tools or workshops.
Social isolation has serious emotional consequences on unit performance and wellbeing. It reduces morale, causes depression and anxiety, and lowers the quality of life. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals and organizations to take steps to prevent social isolation by engaging in activities that promote connection and communication. These include joining clubs, volunteering, taking up hobbies, talking to friends and family regularly, attending meetings, going to therapy, etc. By doing so, we can reduce the risk of developing negative emotions associated with social isolation.
What are the emotional consequences of social isolation on unit performance and wellbeing?
Social isolation can have significant negative impacts on unit performance and wellbeing as it can lead to decreased motivation and morale, reduced communication, increased stress levels, and increased feelings of loneliness and depression. Studies suggest that those who experience prolonged periods of social isolation may be at an increased risk for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.