COVID19 and Why We Need People- by Sergio Ocampo LMFT, SEP
The first months of the year 2020 were affected by the COVID-19 viral outbreak worldwide. The resulting shutdown and social isolation (social distancing) has helped to slow the progress of the disease. People have sought refuge in their homes, away from public spaces in an effort to curtail transmission of the virus. In effect, isolating themselves from others.
The result has been the absence of person-to-person interactions which so greatly can influence moods. For those who struggle with depression and a sense of isolation, this has been particularly challenging.
Socially engaging with others is not only about the exchange of ideas and pleasantries. It is also about creating an internal sense of well-being and safety. It is part of a neural network unique to humans. It originates from a web of neural connections throughout our body. This network, when stimulated, informs our brains that, as we engage socially with others, we are in the place of well-being. For being and interacting with others means we are with our tribe. We are able to talk to each other. If we are able to talk to each other, we are able to work together. And if we can work together, we can survive. We are with our tribe. We are not alone. We are, at heart, tribal beings; interdependent, wired to cooperate and work together.
The neural system of social is engagement is named the Ventral Vagal System which is part of the Autonomous Nervous System. It serves to calm rather than to excite. The influence of this system has been studied and put forth by Dr Steven Porges in his Poly Vagal Theory.
The Ventral Vagal system wires vital organs in the chest, abdomen, inner ear, and the muscles used to move our faces and neck.
When we interact socially we engage the muscles in our face, eyes, mouth, neck, and ears. Our bellies reverberate with the sound of our voices. Our lungs expand and contract to allow air to cross our voice box to create language. Our hearts begin to beat in harmony as we engage further. These movements all stimulate the Ventral Vagal nerve, which in turn relays the message to the brain which says: all is okay. It is an instant signal allowing the brain to magnify a sense of safety and relaxation.
When we engage in solitary activities, we are less able to achieve self-regulation. This is true especially when faced with stressful situations. Having a safe other(s) with whom to interact stimulates the Ventral Vagal network sending feel good messages to the brain. This allows a counteracting stimulus that curtails anxiety.
The ventral Vagal System arose from our need to raise children over an extended infancy. This requires mutual cooperation and interaction to help family units nurture and protect vulnerable children. We all had to work together and live together. Being able to interact socially was, and is, fundamental to our survival – that we can interact socially means that we find each other as being safe. Knowing this internally makes us also feel more safe and relaxed.
Isolating oneself can make it harder to feel in flow. Making an effort to interact with others, even at a distance, greatly improves our internal sense of safety and relaxation. This can go a long way towards improving mental health and well-being.
Sergio Ocampo specializes in the use of Somatic Experiencing and EMDR to help his clients resolve past difficult and overwhelming experiences. His practice is located in Los Angeles, California.
Copyright Sergio Ocampo – 2020