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With telework and social distancing mainstream, Japanese residents try to stay mentally healthy

Everyone knows there are good times and bad times in life. While the pandemic is hopefully winding down, it's clearly been a strain on people's mental health. For those who may be feeling like they’re in a rut @cocology_shin’s Instagram posts may offer some relief. The Instagrammer posts pictures about psychology and mental phenomena and is steadily gaining traction among followers. Recently he uploaded this 10 part post on the platform:

"I don't want to do anything… Symptoms of learned helplessness. Have you ever heard of learned helplessness? It occurs when people experience a situation where they cannot escape from long-term stress or solve a perpetual problem. Feeling helpless and seeking to avoid stress is called learned helplessness in psychology. I will explain the symptoms of people who are prone to this and possible solutions:

When does it occur?

  • When a child's wishes are continually rejected by over-interfering parents. Yet, the child continues to require something.
  • When a spouse always points out the small mistakes of their partner and is unappreciative of effort.
  • When a job hunter has many interviews but is repeatedly refused a position. They may begin to feel denied."

@cocology_shin continued:

“What kind of people are at risk of developing learned helplessness?

  • People who do not get enough sleep. While we sleep, motivational substances in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline are secreted. If one’s sleep cycle is disturbed, they're more likely to fall into learned helplessness.
  • People who are perfectionists or who want to be considered a good person. Perfectionists are not good at accepting bad outcomes. The higher the ideal, the more they haven't achieved. It becomes easy to blame themselves because they feel they should be able to accomplish something they can't."

@cocology_shin also offered some solutions:

“How to overcome learned helplessness?

  • 1. Change your environment
  • 2. Take an extended break or absence
  • 3. Celebrate your small successes
  • 4. Practice 5-minute meditation"

More than 2,000 reacted to this post. During COVID-19, it's easy to imagine that residents have fewer opportunities to gather and vent to one another. Indeed, there may be few to whom they can confide their worries. Fortunately, @cocology_shin provided helpful posts.

Dealing with loneliness

The Instagrammer also posted about dealing with loneliness:

"4 fundamental ways to deal with loneliness:

Why people feel lonely?

・Evolutionary psychology?

During the hunter-gatherer era, humankind maintained a group-oriented lifestyle through an "insurance system" in which community members helped those injured. Therefore, it was a matter of life and death whether individuals were part of a group. This instinct is a likely cause of loneliness or a desire for peer approval.

・Heredity?

It is said that sociability is about 50% genetic. People who respond, "I'm fine being alone for a long time," may have inherited this genetic disposition. If you like people but feel lonely, environmental factors may be contributing.

Apart from these factors, childhood attachment wounds can also biologically affect loneliness as a child develops."

The Instagrammer also references a renowned psychologist:

"Erich Fromm notes that mature love is not about being loved, but about ‘loving and giving what you really are.’ It may be important to connect with your true self before connecting with others."

Recently, remote working environments and social distancing have shaped everyone’s lives. In such a world, it’s important to maintain social connections and a sense of belonging.

By - Luke Mahoney.

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