Sick of Social Distancing?

Even with the easing of Circuit Breaker rules, social distancing remains necessary to stem the spread of COVID-19. If you’re experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness, try these suggestions to boost mental and emotional resilience

- Natalya Molok

To rein in the escalating COVID-19 transmissions, the Singapore government introduced a slew of Circuit Breaker measures meant to keep Singaporeans at home. Those who flouted the rules by gathering socially, for instance, were fined $300 on the first offence.

As necessary as these strict measures have been to contain the spread of Covid-19, they can lead to feelings of intense loneliness and isolation – humans are social creatures, after all. But there are strategies to help you weather the emotional storm of social distancing and it has to do with building up your resilience, so you can give your mind a break from the stressors of what’s happening in the world.

Fortunately, emotional resilience is a skill that anyone can learn and build on. In fact, practice makes perfect, says Dr Tim Sharp, founder and “chief happiness offer” of The Happiness Institute. “Unfortunately, most people are unprepared emotionally when a crisis hits,” he explains. “But I liken it to a fire drill – if you practise strategies to strengthen your resilience before anything goes wrong, you’re less likely to panic and more likely to make better decisions.”

How do I boost my resilience and catch a mental break?

Practise Realistic Optimism