The effect of COVID-19 on social isolation has been significant.
Loss of social networks or activities can affect eating and nutritional health, including:
- Limited availability and accessibility of food, if it is difficult to go shopping, or no access to online shopping
- Lack of visits from family or friends to provide food, company and feeding assistance
- Cancellation of social and lunch clubs
Ongoing COVID-19 symptoms can also affect your ability to work.
This can result in:
- Higher absence
- Low work productivity
- Risk to income and financial stress
What do these symptoms have to do with my diet?
- Lack of variety in your diet may mean you don't receive all the nutrients you need
- Changes in your social support networks may negatively influence your mood, what you feel like eating and what you can eat
- Not meeting your protein, vitamin and mineral requirements may make you feel tired and affect your ability to work
Resources
- Talk to your employer if you have concerns about your COVID-19 recovery affecting your ability to work or do your usual job
- Supporting Occupational Health Professionals website explains wellbeing and occupational health strategies to help reduce negative effects of symptoms at work
- Access to Work is a government scheme that offers a financial support for those with a health condition or disability to find work
- You may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This provides extra living costs for people needing help with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed or preparing food
- Chronic conditions such as long COVID can result in social isolation and loneliness. Support can be found on the NHS and MIND websites
- Age UK can offer to link you to services which may help you with shopping. Age UK also provides information about local services, including help around the home, help with practical jobs around the home, exercise classes and transport
- The British Red Cross has information about support after hospital discharge
- Find out about local Adult Social Services in your area
- Social prescribers provide non-medical support to help people to live the best lives they can. They can provide help to manage loneliness, stress, money concerns, housing problems and links to voluntary organisations. You can ask your GP surgery about how to access support from a social prescriber
