COVID changed all of us.
Whether we like it or not, the pandemic has left an indelible mark on all our lives, changing everything from how we work to the way we socialize and navigate this crazy world. Although great attention is often given to the virus’s impact on our physical bodies, research now shows how the pandemic’s policies also impacted our neurological health. From crippling isolation to mounting physical and psychological stress, these past few years caused unprecedented issues for all of us.
And one important question has emerged: Did COVID shrink our brains?
It may sound crazy, but the impact of this most recent period has had major effects on neurological health, particularly in older individuals. For many elders, isolation became a major player in terms of its social impacts through social distancing, quarantining, and visitation restrictions. This isolation, combined with the uncertainty of the time, led to the perfect storm for neurological dysfunction.
What the Studies Say
Studies are now revealing that prolonged isolation may have lasting impacts on cognitive function, mood, and general psychological well-being. Especially in those already vulnerable to cognitive decline (seniors), social isolation can lead to increased mental impairment and even dementia.
Simply put, social connections are critical for a healthy brain – and the pandemic policies did none of us any favors!
The science of stress goes even further. See, when we’re stressed out, the hormone cortisol is released, and over a longer period, can actually damage our brain cells and impair our ability to think, feel, and behave normally.
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These difficulties are also, ironically enough, associated with what is known as “long COVID.” In other words, both the virus itself and the policies to curb the virus may have similar, overlapping effects.
The difficulties can manifest in the following ways:
- Trouble remembering
- Attention problems
- Difficulty making decisions
- Emotional turmoil and depression
Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom. While the pandemic certainly affected our neurological health, there are many things we can
