Humans only have 4 basic necessities: food, water, shelter, and interaction. What happens when one of those is taken away? During this difficult time, what with the Covid-19 pandemic, murderous hornets, and mass racial protests, it’s safe to say that the United States has received a fair share of trouble simply in 2020. However, there is one issue that has been the longest occurring, and that is Covid-19. This pandemic has made it so self-isolation was absolutely necessary; meaning, everybody had to stay away from each other. But what are the side effects of loneliness?
It may seem insignificant, but human interaction is incredibly important. Not so long ago, it used to be the normal of the world, therefore making everybody take it for granted. Being in this time of self isolation has really made the entire world reflect on the little things in life. It may not be so little, but, simple interaction is what keeps a person sane. Without it, this entire world would wreak havoc. People would start hallucinating and simply lose their minds. A quick “Hello,” could very much save a person from going insane.
Though interaction is undoubtedly one of the most important things that a human could need, there are a few others as well. Without these things, a human, or any living creature, really wouldn’t be able to survive. These things are food, water, and shelter. People may want more in life, but only these few things are needed for sheer survival.
Food is required to feed all the muscles and cells in the body. It acts as fuel to keep an organism going. Water is required to hydrate the cells and organs in the body and is necessary to maintain function of all those organs. Shelter is required because humans, and any other living being, are not built for all terrain. The harsh weather could deal serious damage, so shelter is needed to protect against it. That is why so many animals become endangered. It’s because their shelter, or their natural habitat, is being destroyed by humans. It is like stealing the shield and armor from the opponent in battle. Stripping them of protection.
Self-isolation has done less than ideal things for humans, but incredible things for nature; such as decreasing pollution in great amounts. Nature is thriving off this pandemic, but humans aren’t and there could be a scientific explanation. Everybody in quarantine has probably noticed the amount of snacking they have done. But it is not entirely their fault. Being lonely and deprived of social interaction can increase the dopamine neurons in the dopaminergic region of the midbrain. This area is specifically for cravings and addictions.
Being alone, separated from the rest of the world, it can cause oneself to be easily stimulated. Since food is a fingertip away, looking at it all day increases the dopamine neurons. Meaning, it is not that a person is hungry all day, it is just neural stimulation from being self-isolated.
All in all, self-isolation is helping this world, but also affecting us humans. Pollution has gone down and though self-isolating cannot save global warming, it gives the world a chance to make a difference. The negatives, it is taking away one of the four main and basic human necessities: social interaction. Now, it is “Social distancing.” This has really taken a toll on people because it is causing parts of our brains to behave differently due to the undesirable environment. Sure, it can be exciting to have nothing to do all day. But a few months in, the only thought is “There is nothing to do all day.” Interaction is as important as food and water and shelter, and almost as if our brains are in retaliation against self-isolation and loneliness, it plays tricks on us. Our brain makes us believe we are hungry when truly, we’re just lonely. Given this information, just like the rest of the second chances given because of this pandemic, people can use it for a greater good.