The past two years of a global pandemic have, obviously, been rough on millions of people around the world. I don’t just mean those who’ve had COVID-19 either. The effects of the pandemic , of lockdowns and quarantines, have taken a physical toll on everyone’s bodies, even those who have managed to dodge COVID’s advances.
Let’s go through a non-exhaustive list of the changes you might have seen. Best to remain aware so you can stay on top of them.
Let’s start with your biggest organ, your skin.
Sure, staying indoors more means we’re more protected from the sun’s harsh UV rays and are generally less likely to get a sunburn, but not getting any sun at all isn’t any better. Not going out as much means we’re getting less Vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiencies can increase the likelihood of depression, bone issues, muscle issues, and more as it’s responsible for the absorption of essential minerals and contributes to things like immune health and brain function.
What about beneath the skin?
Dr. Charla Fischer, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, told Buzzfeed News that she’s seen more patients coming in with back pain relating to poor posture since the start of the pandemic.
Not to mention that a sedentary lifestyle, having been adopted by more people over the pandemic as they moved to a work-from-home situation, can cause increased weakness in one’s bones and muscles. Mix that with the Vitamin D deficiency mentioned before, and many people are at a much larger risk for injuries.
Let’s not forget what you’re using right now, your eyes.
Once again related to those who may have transitioned to a work-from-home life, or anyone who works at a computer all day, it could be increasing your risk of myopia.
There’s also the fact that staring at a screen causes people to blink less so their eyes tend to dry out easier over time, the likelihood of developing ‘eye fatigue’ in which the muscles that control your eyes’ ability to focus tire out, and the risk of prolonged blue light exposure. All of these pose a risk to your long-term eye health and can even cause headaches.
It’s hard to digest all this info when your gastrointestinal tract is also suffering.
Your gastrointestinal tract can be affected by numerous lifestyle changes that may have happened due to the pandemic relating to diet, activity level, and mental health. In May of 2020, a survey was conducted that reported 60% of adults had increased their drinking, another toll on one’s internal functions.
“The GI tract has even more nerves than the brain, so the way we feel can cause GI distress,” said Dr. Sarah McGill, an associate professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina. To keep things on track, she recommends avoiding alcohol and exercising regularly.
Last but not least, those pearly whites.
Yes, even your teeth might have been affected by all this.
In the beginning, there was the hesitancy of booking dental appointments thanks to the nature of COVID. Being mask-off, open-mouthed in front of someone was unthinkable for a long time, and still is for many.
Some behavioral changes that could have affected more patients are teeth grinding due to stress, and more frequent, prolonged snacking as people stay at home and have more liberty to eat throughout the day.
So, what does this all mean for you?
It means that any changes in health you might have seen over the past few years might not be entirely your fault. Social effects and pressures can do a number on anybody’s psyche, and many don’t realize what even small changes in lifestyle can do to their body’s numerous delicate systems, let alone big changes like the ones COVID has necessitated.
Bringing awareness to these issues is meant to do just that: make you more aware, so you can identify any problem areas and be more conscious about the choices you make that affect them.
h/t: Buzzfeed News
