The lockdown has increased leisure time but reduced leisure activities

Circadian rhythms are cycles that tell the body when to sleep, when to wake up and eat. This internal clock is influenced by external cues, like sunlight and temperature, which help determine whether one feels energised or exhausted at different times of the day.

When the internal clock and environmental cues are misaligned, physical as well as psychological issues may have to be dealt with. With less physical activity and less environmental exposure, most of us are overly exposed to screens- TV, computer, phone, etc. which in turn is adding to the change in circadian rhythms, much of it happening at an unconscious level.

Research findings are that an individual works and travels for close to 45 hours a week. But the home/family time and work is now intertwined with the introduction of work from home, allowing us insufficient space compared to pre-lockdown days when we used to go out, socialise or take time outs.

American psychologist Abraham Maslow held that human beings had five needs ranging from physiological needs, safety/security needs, belongingness to love, self-esteem and self-actualisation. When the basic need in the hierarchy is not met, it is impossible to meet the rest of the needs.

During this isolation/lockdown- are all our basic needs such as food, water, shelter, clothing, comfort, rest and sleep being met? The lockdown is novel and none of us was prepared for this; but the question is do we have enough to sustain our basic needs?

What’s going to happen when we run out of food? How will our needs be met? The thought of what we are facing stresses us out and makes us anxious; we don’t want to discuss this with our family members lest they are affected by our fear. Instead a series of self-talk takes place.

Research has indeed shown that productivity increases when we work from home. But we forget that personal life and work life has been merged. When there are no boundaries between personal and work life there is an overlap, which leads to instability in the family and affects the system as a whole.

“Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance well being in our population. It is known that even a short burst of 10 minutes brisk walking increases mental alertness, energy and positive mood states.” As Thayer wrote: “Even an unpleasant social situation can be tolerable if our mood is positive. On the other hand, if we are in a bad mood, an activity that usually is very pleasant can be boring and uninteresting. When our mood is low, even the most positive events become meaningless”.

When an individual does a physical activity, endorphins are released which helps in relaxing and reducing stress and anxiety; as in the current situation there is no activity because of which there can be an increased anxiety and depressed behavior.

Emotional safety needs are also important for survival. Are we all feeling safe during this lockdown? Feeling safe is important to our health and well being. When we feel safe at our home and neighbourhood, we can influence our social habits, which in turn helps us in decision making. But do we feel safe or helpless in our own homes and neighborhood?

The sense of safety would come if there is a solution to the crises we are facing, instead of reading about deaths that creates a sense of fear and anxiety of the unknown. We are accustomed to have fun and share our feelings and fears in groups. But the lockdown along with physical distance has also created emotional distance. Even while buying something, the thought that lingers is,“Can the seller be a carrier of the virus”, thought which might lead to indecisiveness.

Similarly, love and a sense of belonging are essential. They are met through satisfactory relationships with family members, friends, peers, classmates, teachers, and others. We want to be with someone who make us feel safe and with whom we can share our current experience.

But we have forgotten to communicate even with our family members. As we have more leisure time and less of leisure activities, we tend to think about the past and get worried about the future. When we have a lot of time in hand and are isolated, our thoughts start wandering to what’s next and our focus keeps shifting from one thing to other, which often causes frustration, anger, sadness and stress.

Not surprisingly, we are in a state of confusion. And when we are confused and lonely, we lose impulse control and engage in what scientists call “social evasion.” We become less concerned with interactions and more concerned with self preservation.

It’s appropriate to end with a quote by Carl Jung. “As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being”.

(Gonsalves is a counselling psychologist, life coach and NLP trainer, while Longkumer is a counselling psychologist and special educator)