From trouble sleeping to trouble remembering things, these are the reasons why not getting out enough, due to the coronavirus pandemic, is unhealthy and can be detrimental to the mental health of the general population.
Among the many challenges facing people around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, spending a disproportionate amount of time locked up has proven to be one of the most difficult.
The pandemic and not leaving home have psychological effects
The social isolation as a general measure by the pandemic, not only has an emotional struggle to maintain mental health, but also locked up spending too much time and not enough time outdoors, it also has serious implications for your physical health.
A major problem is a potential deficiency in vitamin D, an essential nutrient that your body gets from sunlight, and which today is known to play an important role in its ability to fight COVID-19.
Read on to learn more about the significant side effects of not going out.
1. Your brain function decreases
If you want to stay alert and keep your mind active as you age, it’s important to spend as much time outdoors as possible. In fact, a 2018 study suggests that people over the age of 45 should consider retiring to a place that gives them the opportunity to spend time in nature.
This is because study participants who did so showed a significantly lower rate of cognitive decline over a 10-year period than those who lived in more urban settings.
2. You experience depression during the pandemic
Life in isolation has been hard on the mental health of countless people for a number of reasons, including the fact that not getting out enough can have a noticeable negative impact on your mood.
According to a 2018 meta – analysis that looked at 31,424 participants, low vitamin D levels are associated with depression.
3. Your joints hurt
While many factors and conditions can cause joint problems, one of the most common is a lack of nutrition from sunlight and being outside. Low levels of vitamin D in the blood cause an inflammatory response, causing pain and inflammation in the joints.
4. You have trouble sleeping
We all know how essential a good night’s rest is to both your mental and physical health, but for many of us, it is something that is difficult to achieve consistently. There are a variety of reasons why that could be the case, including being locked up for too long.
For example, after extensive observation of 9,397 participants, a 2018 meta – analysis concluded that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders.
5. Your immune system weakens
In these times when doing activities to promote a strong immune system is perhaps more important than ever, spending time outdoors and getting adequate amounts of vitamin D becomes increasingly essential.
If you don’t prioritize these things, according to one study , you run the risk of reducing your immune system’s ability to respond effectively to infections and viruses.