Dealing with Isolation during COVID

Las Vegas West Rotary truly enjoyed this week’s presentation from Dr. Shantal Marshall from Nevada State College about dealing with isolation, a truly relevant topic during this time when we all are dealing with some aspect of loneliness as we quarantine due to COVID-19.

In sum, Dr. Marshall taught us that humans are wired to belong to groups and that we naturally want to be with other people. During times of stress (and with so much unknown in today’s world, we all are feeling stress), the body releases oxytocin, often referred to as the “cuddle hormone.” Oxytocin is naturally released in the body when we are hugging others, or when we are around someone we love. The result is that during this most uncertain of times, we want to be with family, friends and loved ones - but we have been unable to do just that.

We are blessed that we have the love and support of our Rotary family, even through quarantine!