Effects Of Long-Term Isolation On Astronauts Going On Interplanetary Missions

Introduction

Isolation (German: Isolierung) is a defence mechanism in psychoanalytic theory first proposed by Sigmund Freud [8]. Throughout history, isolation was often used by the legal system as a form of punishment. Portrayed as so by the mass media in movies, series, etc., it can often be naturally attributed to a grey area.

Isolation is a lot more than just a tool for law enforcement or torture. Most people experience isolation daily. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released data that shows 51% of people in England and Wales are single. Does that really mean there are so many people on their own, asks Anthony Reuben? [2] Isolation can often be the basis for many of our decisions or emotional states. “I had opened my cupboard and a hanger fell out. I don’t know what happened to me, but I suddenly picked up all the hangers and threw them on the bed in rage. The impulse lasted for 30 to 40 seconds, but it left me shaken. I had changed my job recently. It was a good one with great pay. It was what I wanted. I was in a relationship, had a bunch of close friends. I couldn’t figure out why I felt so angry or so lonely,” says Joshi, 32, who had moved to Mumbai from Dehradun in 2008 to look after her aging grandparents and to work with a business process outsourcing firm [1].

Isolation and loneliness are peaking nowadays especially since the pandemic struck. Many people even after a year are still in their homes, unable to connect with their loved ones. Isolation can often bring out a different personality in you which maybe for the better or worse. What is Isolation? Solitude, isolation, and loneliness are similar terms, but they each have distinct meanings. [6]

1. Solitude is the state of being alone.

2. Isolation is a the shame associated with losing a job or being unable to secure new employment can lead individuals to self-isolate. 3. Feelings of sadness and emptiness. What causes isolation? Many circumstances can cause people to be isolated from others or to choose self-isolation:

• Loss of loved ones: Isolating after the loss of friends or family members can be common, especially among seniors who have lost many loved ones in their age group.

• Mental health issues: Issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem often result from social isolation, but they can also cause it.

• Remote location: Individuals who live in remote areas or who are geographically separated from family and friends due to job duties (military service, for example) can experience feelings of isolation.

• Physical impairments: Physical challenges that limit mobility can reduce an individual’s ability to interact socially. Some people with physical disabilities feel ashamed of their disability or appearance, which can make them reluctant to interact socially. Hearing and vision impairments can also create a sense of isolation.

• Social media: Communication via social media helps some people stay connected to others, but it can lead to isolation if it becomes a substitute for meaningful conversations and in-person socialization.

• Unemployment: The shame associated with losing a job or being unable to secure new employment can lead individuals toself-isolate. • Intimate partner violence: People in abusive relationships sometimes avoid contact with family, friends, or co-workers because they are unwilling to reveal their true situation. Social isolation can also result from physical distancing measures such as those necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. [7] Isolation in Space

When you’re isolated and can’t get home or talk to your family, how long can you stay positive? Isolation possesses real psychological hardships. It weakens a person’s motivation and hinders their decision-making process. In order to combat such situations, NASA designed a Human Resource Program (HRP) to ensure the safety of astronauts who are navigating unfamiliar territory in very stressful conditions. In the past decades, NASA has become increasingly concerned with the toll of spending time on space missions. Extreme isolation and unimaginable distance from earth offer the potential of great stress on the human mind and body. The longer a person spends time in an isolated environment, the greater is the potential for bigger and bigger problems. HRP at NASA is working continuously to mitigate stressors such as loneliness and anxiety that affect all humans separated from friends and families for a long period of time. Tom Williams- Element Scientist at NASA notes that ’Astronauts currently working on the International Space Station spend a large part of the day connecting with people on Earth. They consult with Mission Control in Houston and also connect with fellow scientists, doctors, friends, and families. However, this luxury won’t be available to humans traveling to Mars, as the distance makes real-time interaction impossible.’ [4]

Tom Williams, the lead scientist for the Human Factors and Behavioral Performance Element of NASA’s Human Research Program, or HRP, developed the acronym C-O-N-N-E-C-T, described below. It represents seven key terms that are important in understanding good psychological health and helps astronauts cope with stress and difficult situations. [5]

• Community: Seek ways to support society and contribute to the greater good.

• Openness: Be open-minded. Look for ways to adapt to life’s challenges.

• Networking: Make contacts. Interact with others to create new activities and share information.

• Needs: Keep a routine. Eat and sleep well. Maintain physical and mental health. Exercise!

• Expeditionary Mindset: Confront challenges head-on: Seek support from and provide support to others.

• Countermeasures: Reduce stress: Be mindful of your strengths, try journaling and sharing your concerns.

• Training: Build on what you have learned in life. Enhance skills and learn new ones.

Modern Solutions

“Isolation and confinement are like being alone in a cramped space,” says Paloski. “And that feeling worsens over time. It’s an occupational hazard similar to working on a submarine. The longer and longer a person spends in that kind of environment, there is a potential for bigger and bigger problems.”[3]

Interpersonal Skills

Astronauts prepare well in advance for the pressure on interpersonal relationships. NASA actually trains its astronauts to improve those skills because they want everyone to play well with each other on board the space station. "You don’t get to pick your crew, you’re just going to be up there and you have to make the best of whatever situation. Plus, of course, the stakes are awfully high, our lives depend on each other, so it’s important," said retired NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who, in 2017 broke the record for highest cumulative total days spent in space by any NASA astronaut (a total of 665 days in space). [3]

Strict Schedule Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who made headlines with his involvement in the "Twins Study" while aboard the space station in 2015 and 2016 noted that his strict astronaut schedule (including sticking to a consistent bedtime) helped to keep him moving and motivated. "You will find maintaining a plan will help you and your family adjust to a different work and home life environment," he wrote. "When I returned to Earth, I missed the structure it provided and found it hard to live without." [3] Have Fun Often It’s important to pace yourself so you don’t get swallowed up by your work and to-do lists. "Take time for fun activities: I met up with crewmates for movie nights, complete with snacks, and binge-watched all of ’"Game of Thrones’" — twice," said Scott Kelly. [3] A Sense of Purpose Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield in one of his many videos gave out his 4 steps to dealing with isolation in space:

1. First off, he suggested that people do some research. "Understand the actual risk, don’t just be afraid of things," he said. "Go to a credible source and find out what is truly the risk that you’re facing right now — you, your family, your friends, the people that you care about."

2. Second, he suggested that people take a look at their goals. "What are you trying to accomplish? What are your objectives? What is your mission for right now?" he asks.

3. Third, he suggested that people address the constraints on those goals. "Who’s telling you what you need to do? What financial resources do you have? What are your obligations?"

4. Fourth, and finally, he prompted people to take action. "Once you understand the risk and your mission, your sense of purpose and your obligations, then take action, start doing things," he said. "They don’t have to be things that you always did before. Take care of your family, start a new project, learn to play guitar, study another language, read a book, write, create. It’s a chance to do something different that you’ve maybe not done before and then, repeat." Hadfield added that there has never been a better time to self-isolate since so many people now have access to the internet and with it a nearly limitless abundance of information and of things to read and enjoy. [3]

Conclusion

Isolation can be a monster, especially during this pandemic. When it comes to the future of humanity, we can’t let anything stop us from going where no one has gone before. With advances in science and technology we hope to see a future, where your relatives live on another planet, and going into space feels like catching a flight. With the vast distances that we deal with when conquering space, isolation will get in the way. As humans, we learn to adapt. With the future perceived as bright humans will seek for the stars and we overcome all of our shortcomings for the next level of human evolution.

References

[1] Ali, A. (2018). You are not the only one: India stares at a loneliness epidemic.

URL https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/you-are-not-the-only-one-5154976/

[2] Data, S. (2015). Small data: Are 51% of people really ’single’?

URL https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-31461595

[3] Gohd, C. (2020). Astronauts know how to handle isolation: Here are tips from scott kelly, peggy whitson and more.

URL https://www.space.com/

astronaut-tips-for-handling-isolation-coronavirus.html

[4] Mars, K. (2018). Conquering the challenge of isolation in space.

URL https://www.nasa.gov/feature/

conquering-the-challenge-of-isolation-in-space-nasa-s-human-research-program-dire

[5] Perez, J. (2020). What can we learn about isolation from nasa astronauts?

URL https://www.nasa.gov/feature/

isolation-what-can-we-learn-from-the-experiences-of-nasa-astronauts

[6] Team, G. E. (2018). Isolation.

URL https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/isolation

[7] University, T. (2020). Understanding the effects of social isolation on mental health.

URL https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/effects-of-social-isolation-on-mental-health/