How hard lockdowns have changed our minds and outlook

We’ve all experienced over the past year, and it’s now become a regular conversation topic when meeting up with friends in socially distanced gatherings. It’s a fact that stress, depression and anxiety can impair the human mind’s cognitive abilities. What does this mean exactly? Well, read on to find out more.

Higher-order planning is kaput

As millions of people have been forced into hard lockdowns, higher-order thinking has mostly been put on the backburner. For months, all many of us have had to focus on are the mundane, rudimentary tasks we encounter every day in our routine. There’s been no mental stimulus or challenge.

What this means is that when it comes time to “think outside of the box”, your mind is completely wrecked. Some of those challenging tasks you would usually embrace are now too overwhelming for your brain. Your prefrontal cortex hasn’t been worked in a while, so those executive decisions you suddenly must make can be a real obstacle.

Less quality sleep

In addition, health professionals are claiming that while most people are sleeping more during the lockdown period, the quality of sleep has deteriorated significantly. Individuals have been complaining about experiencing more vivid, intense and strange dreams during lockdown periods. This is because our dreams often reflect our concerns, anxieties and fears for the future.

So, what can we do to improve our mental health during these times?

It’s critical that you get as much vitamin D, exercise and sunlight as possible. In Australia, this advice is especially crucial for Victorians and those living in Melbourne, who have had endured two extended lockdown periods. The same applies to those in COVID-ravaged areas of Europe and the United States, where temporary lockdowns have been implemented. It’s also vital that you maintain those close relationships, albeit via online channels. Make sure you text, call and video call those you wish to catch up with often.