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LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY

Makeup and Gender in the Western World

Makeup and Gender in the Western World

by Lauren Tran · Jul 16, 2022

Blush. Mascara. Highlight. Lipstick. These are terms that many could recognize instantaneously. Today, makeup seems to be an intrinsic aspect of our everyday lives, from a sacred step in a morning routine to a touch-up before a fun night out. It has played a significant role in our society for several years. Makeup can influence our self-image and can serve as a symbol of wealth and class status. Ranging from a lighthearted application in costume to a life-altering component of gender expression, makeup may also aid us in shaping our identities. Though gender discourse is becoming prevalent in the cosmetic industry, the relationship between makeup and gender has been nonlinear throughout the history of the Western World. In order to truly understand makeup’s influence within our society today, we must start at the beginning.

The first use of cosmetics traces back 6,000 years ago to ancient Egypt, where it “served as a marker of wealth believed to appeal to the gods” according to Meg Matthias’ article “Why Did We Start Wearing Makeup?”. Both Egyptian men and women would wear kohl around their eyes, paint their lips with stains from beetles or red ochre, and powder their faces white to lighten their skin. At the time, makeup was used by Egyptian men to showcase their masculinity. 

The ancient Greeks and Romans utilized similar techniques. Rogue was used to add color to cheeks, and they painted their faces with powders made from ground-up minerals. However, it was during these eras where a distaste for makeup began to arise. Some Greek and Roman thinkers associated cosmetics with sex workers and single women, although it seems their mindsets were in the minority as women from all ages and statuses carried on wearing makeup. During the Roman era, it was widely agreed that cosmetics were for women only. If a man spent too much time on his appearance, he was often ridiculed. 

These patterns in society of embracing versus rejecting makeup and of approving versus disapproving makeup for men continued as time went on. Some notable shifts in history include: the popularity of cosmetics during the Byzantine era or the rejection of makeup (especially on men) during the mid-19th century after it was declared “vulgar” by Britain’s Queen Victoria. Before the Enlightenment period, men spent more time and energy towards their appearances. However, the time following the Enlightenment period and the French Revolution was characterized by a public disapproval of the male extravagance that was formerly associated with higher classes. Instead, society began assigning the gender roles we are familiar with today: men as hardworking breadwinners and women as objects. Although makeup did not completely disappear in the 1800’s, there wasn’t a strong resurgence of highly visible cosmetics in the Anglo-American world until the 1920’s. Once again, cosmetics became a symbol of status and wealth as opposed to something wicked that was looked down upon in society. 

It was during this time that the beauty industry began to establish itself as a major player in the economy. In fact, part of the reason that makeup made such a big comeback among women was due to gendered marketing. Unfortunately, despite the fact that we have made massive progress in dismantling societal stigmas surrounding cosmetics, there is still an obvious gender binary in advertising for beauty and grooming. For example, products targeting women are often light colors with floral scents while the advertisements garnered towards men feature products in dark, bland colors with hypermasculine scents such as “GLACIER PUNCH.” 

After years and years of witnessing cosmetic marketing with such a distinct barrier between men and women, it is refreshing to come across brands that market themselves as gender inclusive. Gender-inclusive marking is advertising “in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender or gender identity, and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes.” It is important because it normalizes the gender spectrum, helping the world feel more open and safe. In an article for Refinery29, Rachel Lubitz writes “in a world where transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people can feel understandably uneasy going up to something as public as a department store counter for makeup advice, this new corner of the industry matters.” Despite the amazing progress with gender inclusivity in makeup brands, there is still more work to be done in the beauty industry. For example, there are companies that use “representation” solely as a crooked sales tactic (since statistically gender-inclusivity is becoming increasingly profitable) as opposed to actually caring about bringing joy and comfort to their consumers. 

All in all, the steps we have taken as a society in the past 20 or so years towards lifting up the LGBTQ+ communities in the beauty and grooming industry are no small feat. Nonetheless, there are always improvements that can be made. As cosmetics brands begin to build upon the success of representation politics, we, as consumers, should challenge them to take it up to the next level. Is their representation reflected internally? How diverse is their brand’s team? Questions like these are essential to the expansion of inclusivity not just within the beauty sector but throughout all industries.

Photo by Linh Ha on Unsplash

Filed Under: BLOG, LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY

The Pressure Behind New Year’s Resolutions

The Pressure Behind New Year’s Resolutions

by Mckayla Morris · Mar 29, 2022

“New Year, New Me” is an expression many of us have heard at least once in our lives, typically said in January with the start of a new calendar year. “New Year’s resolutions” are goals that we set right at the start of a new year that can involve building new habits, letting go of old habits, or achieving something new. The idea of having a fresh start is certainly appealing, but how many of us actually stick to these resolutions, and why do we even make them in the first place?

A study from 1988 revealed that out of 200 individuals who had made New Year’s resolutions, about 77% were able to stay committed for the first week, but only 19% of those original 200 kept their resolutions two years later. More recently, a Statista survey from December 2018 showed that only 4% of the approximately 1200 respondents who had made New Year’s resolutions in January of 2018 had actually stayed committed and kept their resolutions until the end of the year.

Why are we seeing such low numbers of people sticking to their resolutions? One reason lies behind the science of forming new habits. Many researchers have shown that it takes a minimum of 18 days to form a new habit, with repetition and reinforcement being the key to successful habit-building. One study from 2009 reveals that it can even take as long as 254 days to form a new habit, but the average amount of time is about 66 days. Many have theorized that as we increase the number of distractions in our lives, such as social media and other forms of technology, it becomes harder to stay focused on our goals and stick to the routine and repetition necessary for forming a new habit.

The idea behind creating a New Year’s resolution is that one “must” achieve something new by the end of the year. This is a potentially harmful mindset to have, since failing to meet this expectation can lead to disappointment. Additionally, many of the goals that people set as their New Year’s resolution involve attaining unrealistic or unsustainable results. For example, goals related to body image can create an unbearable pressure for many people.

It’s time to shift the conversation and focus on setting goals for ourselves throughout the year that allow us to grow and develop in healthy ways. Why do we need to wait until January 1st to start working on things we want to achieve; why not focus on change when we feel that we need it? Moving to a new place, starting a new job, or finishing school all represent major life changes that can signify the start of something new, and subsequently, the beginning of new goals and aspirations. And why must our resolutions be something that we set an arbitrary deadline to? Does failure to meet that deadline mean that we have not made progress? We should focus instead on setting goals for ourselves that allow us to reflect on how much we have grown, regardless if we achieve the ultimate goal or not. Our goals should be meaningful to us and not structured around other people’s ideas of success or improvement. These goals should afford us days to slip-up and be off-track but able to jump back in when we are ready; progress is not a linear pathway, so we ought to be more patient and forgiving with ourselves, instead of strict and unrealistic. 

There is a post I recently saw on Instagram that discusses how our New Year’s resolutions can either be constructive or destructive. Constructive goals should, among other things, be inspiring, achievable, and focused on growth. Destructive goals, on the other hand, are typically time-sensitive and inspired by other people’s timelines and outward-facing success. Posts like these are important to share in our feeds so that we can help reduce the pressures behind setting new goals for ourselves. As another popular saying goes, “life is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Image by @sadgirlsclub on Instagram

Growing up, I was someone who constantly created these resolutions at the start of every year that were more focused on what other people would consider to be measures of success. My goals were largely focused on changing how my body looked or pushing myself to achieve the highest of grades just so I could get into a “good college.” Instead, my goals should have been focused on improving my own self-image or devoting more time to the things in life that I enjoyed. As I get older, I want to work on achieving personal growth in ways that are meaningful for me, and I think that this is what New Year’s resolutions should really be about.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Filed Under: BLOG, LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY

Ways To Stay Empowered and Take Care of Your Wellness In College

Ways To Stay Empowered and Take Care of Your Wellness In College

by Tien Nguyen · Jan 24, 2022

For women, staying in tune with our bodies and managing our unique health needs can be challenging, especially in college. With so much on our plates academically and personally, health can fall to the wayside. However, fostering overall wellness—spiritually, physically, and mentally—is paramount to your ability for success on or off-campus. You can become your own best advocate for yourself and others’ wellness by taking steps to know your body, reach out, share, and discover resources available through your university network and community. Here are three ways to take initiative to be empowered, embrace your needs, and take charge of your wellness in college.

Stay On Top of Your Healthcare Needs

Don’t neglect your wellness check-ins. Becoming wrapped up in the semester may distract you from prioritizing your health and you may forget to keep up with your healthcare visits. Fortunately, there are tools to help keep track of your health needs and make speaking with a healthcare professional more accessible and convenient. Telemedicine in particular can be a great way to consult with a variety of specialists whether you are in your dorm or at home. Speaking with a gynecologist about contraceptives such as an IUD, a dermatologist to help you find a prescription acne medication for pimples,  or a therapist to help you with mental health struggles, can all be done via telemedicine. If you happen to feel some anxiety around a health visit, or think that a certain topic may be too taboo to bring up, remember that speaking with a healthcare provider can be empowering and reassuring. A conversation with a healthcare expert can alleviate tension or uncertainty you may be feeling, and talking through your concerns can help you to recognize your stressors and be able to better manage them. Your provider will be understanding and will help you become more confident talking about your health and wellness.

Let’s Talk Stress Management 

Stress can be inevitable when the demands of college become a lot to handle. According to a study by The American College Health Association, 48 percent of college women surveyed rated their overall stress levels as more than average. Such stress can have a significant impact on your overall health and academics. The uncertainty introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the process. College can be an overwhelming place for women who juggle multiple responsibilities. From cramming for your next exam to getting involved in community work, athletics, or passion projects, it can often seem like there is so much to tackle at once. However, remind yourself that you are indeed accomplished and that you should not measure success by how much you are doing. Be proud, own your success, and empower yourself by being in control of striking a balance. Pause for a moment, take a breath and remember that stress management is key to your health and happiness. Prioritize working in stress management strategies into your day. Some great strategies to try out include:

  • Bullet journaling
  • Deep breathing
  • Enjoying a podcast
  • Listening to music
  • Reading
  • Trying a self-care box
  • Watching your favorite YouTube channel

Truthfully, this list could be endless, so what really matters is finding a technique that engages and resonates with you.

Uplift Yourself and Other Women

The impacts of social isolation on mental health are widespread nowadays due to the pandemic. It can be mentally draining to spend most of your time in class just to return to your space at the end of the day. Therefore, it is vital to maintain connections and interact safely with your peers. What better way is there to connect with others than through women empowering other women? Check out your campus groups to see if there are any related to women’s rights or social justice. You can also try to find women’s groups in your field of study. These organizations may meet virtually on a regular basis, or maybe still are able to meet in small groups in person. It can be a great way to champion women’s causes, network, and form meaningful connections with others. On a personal level, getting involved can help you to feel more confident and lift your spirits. We all know how good it feels when another woman compliments us, or how satisfying it is to work together towards a cause. Let’s mentor and cheer each other on.

Empowering yourself to take care of your wellness in college is rewarding. Learning more about your body, wellness strategies, and how to bring positivity into your life can transform your entire college experience. Be an advocate for yourself but also try to empower others as well. Don’t hesitate to share what you know, initiate a conversation, start a new group, and spread awareness on great women’s causes. When it comes to advocating for yourself and other women in your community, college is a great place to start.

Featured Image by showfantasy

Filed Under: BLOG, HEALTH, LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY

Hands Off My Hijab: Why Laws Targeting Muslim Women Are Violent

Hands Off My Hijab: Why Laws Targeting Muslim Women Are Violent

by Divya Nagarajan · Dec 2, 2021

A common thread in lawmaking throughout history has been the policing of what women do with their bodies. From prolific anti-abortion legislation, to the ongoing acquittal of sexual assault perpetrators, to the governments restricting women’s ability to move outside their home, there is unfortunately no end in sight to the list of societal barriers to women owning themselves entirely. Muslim women bear this burden especially heavily, particularly in the realm of religious headwear. For example, earlier this year, an “anti-separatism” bill in France pushed to ban girls under 18 from wearing hijab in public, alongside other discriminatory amendments. This is not the only case of discriminatory law stemming from Islamophobia. 

Hijab is the concept in Islam of modesty. While the term is most often used in the Western world to describe a head scarf worn by many Muslim women, it’s truly an umbrella term that also encompasses other forms of modesty in clothing, such as the khimar, another form of headscarf, the niqab, a more complete veil that covers the body, or the burka, a veil that covers the entire body including a thin veil over the eyes. Dressing modestly is an important concept in Islam, and it is first and foremost an act of worship. However, hijab has been the subject of controversy time and time again in the Western world as a result of prolific misinformation and global Islamophobia.

While the U.S. exhibits its fair share of discrimination against Muslim communities, Europe has a special history of oppression. To date, fifteen European states have enacted a full or partial ban on the burqa. France, in particular, has been the site of widespread controversy over this issue. As a nation with an emphasis on secularity, wearing a veil is even banned in public schools. In some cases, these laws have been justified as necessities within certain professions. For example, interpersonal communication and eye contact are argued to be important in a field like teaching, and a face obscuring veil is therefore considered inappropriate in this context. Yet, these arguments lack cultural sensitivity and fail to consider the overstep such legislation takes into the area of personal autonomy and individual choice. And why is it that such laws only ever seem to affect women?

Most recently, in summer 2021, the European Union’s highest court ruled that it was acceptable for employers to prohibit expressions of religion in the workplace, including headscarves. Although the law itself doesn’t mention Muslim women directly, they are the population most harmed. While parts of the world are making strides towards greater cultural understanding, Western lawmakers continue to spin the narrative that Islam as a whole is an oppressive religion. Rulings and laws discriminating against Islamic practices only help this backwards mindset sink its claws deeper into the general public’s perceptions. 

Laws like this are a reminder that intersectionality is present in every space, and that the problem goes beyond religious freedom. Just as abortion law in the U.S. persists as one of the most controversial issues, and sexual assault laws continuously fail to uphold an acceptable standard of consequence for perpetrators, Islamophobic laws are another in a long list of systemic structures disallowing women from entirely owning their bodies. These laws also imply that a Muslim woman’s choice to wear hijab is a political one, rather than a personal and spiritual one. In a world where we should be embracing and celebrating our beautiful differences, rulings like this only promote ongoing disunity and discrimination against an already marginalized group. 

Fortunately, there is hope. As disheartening as it can be to see parts of the world regressing away from religious and personal freedom, there are always those who will fight back. As a response to the most recent French Islamophobic law banning hijab-wearing mothers from accompanying their children on school trips, burkinis from being worn in public pools, and religious symbols (including hijab) from being worn by competitors in a sporting event, American Muslim women trended the hashtag #handsoffmyhijab in solidarity. Prominent hijabi figures spoke out to condemn the law, including U.S. Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad who reminded the world that had the law been in place when she competed in France, she would not be the successful athlete she was today. 

The fight is far from over. While awareness for the issue has spread through social media and news outlets over the past few months, the discriminatory rulings in Europe remain active nonetheless. Recent developments in the Islamic world, such as the Taliban occupation of Afghanistan, have already caused a swell in Islamophobic sentiment in the West. There is always more work to be done. While an individual commitment to decolonizing our mindsets is essential, it is most important to hold our governments responsible for protecting the rights of all their citizens regardless of creed. Only then will we, as a world, be able to offer our Muslim sisters the respect and autonomy they deserve.

Featured Image by Maggie Cole

Filed Under: BLOG, LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY, RESEARCH AND POLICY

To Shave or Not To Shave: Tackling Body Hair

To Shave or Not To Shave: Tackling Body Hair

by Mckayla Morris · Nov 11, 2021

Humans have been trying to deal with body hair removal since Ancient Egypt. Whether it be a way to demonstrate your social status or keep your body clean, the methods used to remove body hair have varied over the years, with some methods being more questionable than others. And while body hair growth and removal did shape gender roles, some believe that it wasn’t until 1871 when Charles Darwin published his book ​​”The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex” that removal of body hair was a necessity for women who wanted to be seen as feminine and attractive.

Although humans do not have a need to have as much hair on our bodies compared to our hairy primate ancestors, body hair still serves a purpose. Human body hair no longer has any survival value, but it still retains importance when it comes to epidermal homeostasis (the maintenance of skin tissue integrity), wound healing, and skin tumorigenesis (the generation of tumors in the skin). On the other hand, the removal of body hair does have its benefits — shaving off hair has helped prevent infestations of lice and other parasites, which is certainly not ideal for those living in close quarters and who do not have access to regular showers or baths. Additionally, having a lot of hair traps perspiration, which leads to a breeding ground for bacteria that produce unpleasant odor. However, with more people having access to water on a daily basis and being able to clean themselves, this is not as big of an issue as it may have once been.

The term “clean-shaven” started to become synonymous with “hygienic,” and marketing for men’s personal shaving products emphasized the idea that a man who has a clean-shaven face is a man who is hygienic, modern, and civilized. This idea has roots in racist and classist ideology, wanting to separate white middle- and upper-class Americans from lower-class immigrants from other countries. Additionally, body hair was starting to be linked — with the help of many 19th century medical and scientific experts — to “sexual inversion, disease pathology, lunacy, and criminal violence.” Unsurprisingly, these connotations were largely being applied to women who chose not to shave, rather than males. All of this leads to 1915, when Harper’s Bazaar became the first women’s magazine to run a campaign that portrayed the removal of underarm hair as a “necessity.” Until this point, the removal of body hair — while definitely setting the standards for beauty ideals — was not considered absolutely necessary for women. By 1964, 98% of American women aged 15 to 44 were regularly shaving their legs. Despite these numbers, shaving was not as common as it is today, and many different hair removal methods for different parts of the body exist.

Many young girls and women, being exposed to ads in magazines, social media, TV commercials, and even just peer pressure, feel that there is an expectation to remove their body hair. Some say that the increased emphasis on body hair removal for females after the 1960’s and 70’s came with the rise of explicit pop culture, the increasing popularity of waxing, and more and more pornography that featured individuals who had completely removed all of their hair in the genital region. After over a hundred years of pushing the idea that body hair was not natural and being hairless meant being clean and attractive, hairlessness for the female body has become the norm, and body hair removal methods have only gotten more and more precise over the years. 

As someone who identifies as a female, I’m no stranger to feeling the pressure to shave and remove my body hair. I remember begging my mother in fourth or fifth grade, shortly after starting puberty, to buy me a razor so I could shave my arms and legs, after seeing multiple magazine ads that featured these razors designed “specially for tweens and teens.” My parents did not buy me a razor like I wanted, and I was told that I didn’t even have any hair to shave. Despite their efforts, I couldn’t stop feeling like there was a part of me that I needed to hide or remove, especially as I got older and started to grow hair in multiple places.

In the past decade or so, there has been increasing pushback against this norm that pushes girls and women to shave and remove their body hair. Our culture has begun to shift, with people encouraging positive conversation around female body hair and pushing for individual empowerment. We are starting to see more ads that feature women with natural body hair on their armpits, legs, face, and other areas. The companies that produce razors and other hair removal products, such as Billie, are starting to change their narrative, from one that essentially pushes the idea that women have no choice in their decision to shave, to one that encourages the right to choose what to do with one’s body hair.

Shaving. Waxing. Creams. There are many different ways to remove hair permanently or temporarily, and all of them have their pros and cons. Ultimately, no one should ever feel the need to remove their body hair, especially when it is something that is natural and has its own purpose of keeping us warm and even protecting our skin in certain instances. The body positivity movement encourages people to practice self-love, whether or not their body matches beauty and other norms we place on ourselves, and it’s important to present ourselves the way that makes us feel the most confident and empowered.

Filed Under: BLOG, HEALTH, LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY

Muslim Representation in Mental Health

Muslim Representation in Mental Health

by Faiza Sarwar · Apr 26, 2021

From navigating newfound “independence” to finding friends in a 500 person class, transitioning into university life was a struggle for me. Realizing that I was, in fact, not an exception to all those times faculty warned us that “university is much harder than high school,” I found myself constantly questioning my self worth and whether I was capable of seeing this college thing through. My mentor at the time worked at my school’s counseling and mental health service, and suggested that I consider looking into what they have to offer for students like me. After a week of staring at the phone number on the website, I finally worked up the courage to make the call. Somehow overpowering the urge to hang up the phone as soon as the counselor picked up and working up the courage to walk to my appointment, I found myself on a comfy little sofa across from my counselor. 

Here, I found myself slowly opening up to him, delving into my University experience and accepting the fact that I was on that sofa because I deserved to talk to someone, not because there was something wrong with me. When he started asking me questions about my culture and religion, I froze. I almost felt the wall that I had painstakingly pieced apart build back up between us. He constantly reassured me that he was asking these questions to see if there was a sense of community I could establish, but I could not shake the fear that he was going to judge me as soon as he realized I was Muslim. 

Upon discussion with many of my peers, I learned that many members of the Muslim community resonate with this hesitancy to obtain counseling services. The current state of the media has shaped many negative connotations towards the Muslim community. Thus, many Muslims have to navigate interactions sparked by these negative connotations, adding to the stressors of daily life. This does not indicate the strength of one’s faith or the confidence they have in their religion. However, there are nuances of daily life that members of the Muslim community encounter that contribute to their mental health. Constantly being told or chastised by others for your choices regarding the hijab (whether you wear it, how you wear it, etc.) can be a frustrating experience because it is such a personal part of one’s journey. Waking up to news of a mosque shooting across the world may make one question whether this would spark further violence in their own community: are they no longer safe going about their daily routine? Witnessing a lack of awareness towards Muslim concentration camps may make one question whether the world actually cares about the injustices towards this community. These events constantly take a toll on the well-being of Muslims around the world, so how does a non-Muslim counselor even begin to understand these concerns and how they apply to the already present stressors of life?

At this time, Muslim representation in counseling and mental health services is especially important to provide the best level of support to members of the Muslim community. In general practice, people tend to be more comfortable with counselors/healthcare providers who share some sense of identity with them. In the same way, Muslims may feel more understood by a counselor who understands their beliefs, acknowledges the effects of stigma towards their religion, and can work towards addressing those concerns. This can be implemented through increasing Muslim representation in this field or through establishing trainings on how to address the needs of this community. Hopefully this will encourage more members of the Muslim community to reach out to counseling services, potentially allowing for further Muslim representation in the field and working towards addressing the stigma of using mental health resources.

Illustration by Natee127/Getty Images

Mental Health Resources in Austin for Muslims:

  • Sarah Shah, Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate: www.healwithsarahshah.com; IG: @healwithsarahshah
  • Rawand Abdelghani, Licensed Social Worker and Mental Health Clinician: IG: @hopewithrawand
  • Safa Institute, non-profit organization for connecting muslims with mental health resources: IG: @safainstitute

Featured Image: Photographed by Nadia Correia

Filed Under: BLOG, HEALTH, LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY

Loneliness Is a Public Health Challenge Too

Loneliness Is a Public Health Challenge Too

by Koshma Eswaramoorthy · Mar 29, 2021

One year ago, when the pandemic first took its stronghold, social distancing was a buzzword referring to the measures we must take to prevent community spread. However, almost within a month, people were urged to use the term “physical distancing.” Even if the term did not quite catch on, why was this so significant? Humans are social creatures and living in communities is an important part of our wellbeing. Social distancing seemed to imply we needed to quit engaging with the rest of society and distance ourselves, well, socially. 

Physical distancing, on the other hand, allows for social activities and even encourages interacting with others safely. For instance, online communication is meant to be a substitute for in-person gathering. Meeting with friends with masks on but at a safe distance of at least 6 feet apart is not  beyond the bounds of physical distancing. Even this small change in wording has a considerable effect on how we interact with the world. Despite the efforts to change the way we frame the safety measures taken in the pandemic, loneliness has been a common, shared experience amongst all ages. Older teens and young adults have been hit the hardest by the loneliness epidemic. Some reports even say that the rate of loneliness amongst younger generations is higher than that of older generations, reversing the pre-pandemic trend.

Currently, many people seem to be going through cycles of social withdrawal and social activity,  and many factors influence how people feel about interacting with others right now. 

One fellow undergraduate student expressed their feelings about social reintegration. “I recently met up in person with exec board members for my club, but I was more worried about how to interact with them in person than I was excited.” Schools and universities are more than just educational institutions. They serve a larger role by acting as a point of transition to larger society. For some students, school is the center of their social support network. This link has essentially been broken in the age of virtual learning and stay-at-home orders. 

Additionally, loneliness itself is difficult to define. However, it can be best summarized as “the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact.” In this case, online communication may not be sufficient to reduce these feelings of social isolation. 

Another undergraduate echoed similar sentiments about the use of online communication platforms as a replacement for in-person activities. “Many of my friends always wanted to call on Zoom in the beginning, but it always felt forced since we usually had nothing new to add. I think a lot of us realized how much of being friends came from spending so much time together” they said. In fact, in a recent survey by ValuePenguin, 10% of respondents said video chats only make them feel lonelier.

The effects of loneliness do not end at just simply feeling disconnected from society. According to the CDC, social isolation also results in a greatly increased risk of premature death from all causes, not unlike the risk from smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. In addition to this, it is associated with higher rates of mental illnesses. Due to COVID-19-related distancing, about 25% of women and 30% of men report feeling lonely when they would not otherwise.

To combat these feelings of loneliness and the accompanying feelings of disconnection from society, you can cope in healthier ways:

  1. Find a new hobby you truly enjoy that focuses your attention on one thing.
  2. Keep your body physically active and exercise regularly.
  3. Sleep at the same time each night in order to get consistent rest. 
  4. Engage with small groups of people in a physically distanced setting.
  5. Take frequent breaks from upsetting news and social media scrolling.
  6. Seek help if you feel extremely overwhelmed.

A trap to avoid falling into, especially in the age of social media, is the idealized or stereotypical “self-care.” We tend to perceive self-care to be limited to the posts we see, when actually it looks different for everyone. The one thing that has helped me the most in truly finding peace in an activity is to remember that I am doing this for myself and not anyone else. For some people, this might actually look like a spa day with face masks and warm baths. But for me, a self-care night means cooking dinner with my sister and eating it over our favorite k-drama. 

While it’s important to “distance,” that doesn’t mean we need to become socially disconnected from our community. Ironically, in the epidemic of loneliness, we are not alone. We need each other more than ever to get through these challenging times.

Featured Image by Nikita Ermakov

Filed Under: BLOG, HEALTH, LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY

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