Foreword
Covid-19 has brought about drastic changes across the world, forcing the majority of people to adopt a new way of life both physically and mentally. There is very little research about how people cope in isolation, particularly specific to our current situation as it is so unique. This article is based on reviewing the information and advice available on the internet as well as from experience of living in social isolation for four weeks.
Self-isolation may occur for radiographers who are symptomatic. Some radiographers may make the decision to live alone in accommodation near to the hospital they work and thus experience some of the problems associated with those in self-isolation. Self-isolation can be daunting and difficult to adjust to, but it can be done. It is important to break down the situation then to tackle each part individually to make it more manageable. Planning and listening to advice from others is key, but practicing patience and self-understanding is also important. Thus, seek support where you can and accept that stress, frustration and loneliness are normal reactions and feelings to an extreme situation like this. Remember this – feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope is a normal reaction to these circumstances – just be patient with yourself.
Avoiding these feelings can cause deep-seated problems, so it is important to acknowledge how you are feeling and take steps towards achieving a stable mental, emotional and physical state of well-being. With practice and a solid strategy, self-isolation can be used positively. Self-isolation can be a gift; it can allow time to pause and reflect on ourselves, dispel bad habits and pick up good ones, perfect a hobby or skill, and improve our general wellbeing.