What did a woman who experienced isolation for one year in Antarctica feel 'changes felt after she was released from isolation?'


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NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Due to the epidemic of the new coronavirus, lockdown and other measures are being taken around the world, and even in Japan, there were requests to refrain from going out unnecessarily and telework was promoted. Measures to maintain social distance as the epidemic subsides will be eased, but Rachel Robertson, who led the expedition for one year in Antarctica, talked about 'changes that occur after liberation from isolation'. I'm talking.

I Was Isolated for a Year in Antarctica--Here's What Surprised Me Most When I Came Back | Reader's Digest
https://www.rd.com/article/isolated-for-a-year-in-antarctica/



Robertson had no enthusiasm for Antarctica from the beginning, and after graduating from college, he worked on jobs not related to the Antarctic expedition. However, one day I saw the phrase 'I am looking for a person with resilience, empathy and honesty' written in 'Advertisement for Antarctic Expeditionary Leader' and asked what question in the interview Robertson, who was worried about whether to be done, decided to accept the recruitment.

As a result, Robertson passed the interview and was appointed to lead the expedition to the

Davis Station observation station, which is managed by the Australian Antarctic Bureau . Mr. Robertson headed to the South Pole with the summer observation team in December 2004, and from the return of the summer observation team in February 2005 to the arrival of the next observation team in November 2005, the environment called Antarctic isolated from the outside world He led 17 wintering squad members.

Many are experiencing the isolation situation associated with the epidemic of the new coronavirus and are looking forward to returning to offices and cities again due to policy relaxation. Some may be very welcome in the new situation, while others may be stressed by mitigation, Robertson said. So, based on his own experience, Robertson explains the confusion felt in life after isolation.



◆1: Daily noise is very noisy
Robertson, who returned to Australia from Antarctica, said the outside world sounded unusually loud. Unlike the Antarctic expedition, lockdown does not change the place you live, but during the lockdown, there is less traffic and people walking in the city, and there is less noise than usual. As a result, some people may be annoyed when the lockdown is unlocked and people's lives change, Robertson said.

Robertson was so accustomed to the quiet life in Antarctica that the constant noise in the urban areas of Australia was staggering. Mr. Robertson, who gradually increased his resistance to noise by limiting the time spent outside to get used to the noise, said that it took about 6 months to get used to his ears.

◆2: Life feels fast
While living in Antarctica, Mr. Robertson seems to have had a very slow pace of life and movement, and when he returned to Australia and got in a car, he felt it was very fast thing. People in lockdowns who are used to working at home can also be confused by the hectic days after unlocking lockdowns because their pace of life and movement is often slow.



◆3: Overwhelmed by many choices
For Robertson and his colleagues during the Antarctic expedition, the “choices” they had in their daily lives were not that wide. Mr. Robertson said that there were predetermined things such as what to wear, when to work, what to eat, and at best, he chose 'curry' and 'pasta' when eating. Therefore, people who have completed their isolated lives may be surprised by the many choices in their daily lives.

◆4: I was not good at skinship
Mr. Robertson, who was in the position of leading the expedition, said that he could not easily shake hands or hug with someone, and he said that physical contact with other people was extremely small. Originally Mr. Robertson was fond of skinships such as hugs, but he says that a year's expedition to the Antarctic made life without skinships a matter of course.

Mr. Robertson thought that 'I would like to hug a lot after returning from the Antarctic expedition,' but when I actually returned to Australia, I hesitated to hug even my family and old friends. I feel it. In order to get used to social involvement such as skinship, Mr. Robertson said that he spent only about 6 weeks with his family and close friends after returning to Australia.

The response after lockdown caused by the new coronavirus epidemic will be different for each person. One should try to be proactive in disguising the loneliness of isolation, while another may take time to get used to social engagement, so mutual respect for each other's reactions is necessary. Robertson advised.



◆5: Immune system was weakened
Although various pathogens did not exist in Antarctica, Mr. Robertson was in good health although the cold was severe. However, as soon as he returned to Australia, 'I was infected with all the viruses in Australia,' Robertson said. As a result, those who are released from isolation should also be careful in considering the possible weakening of their immune system.

◆6: It becomes harder as the isolation status approaches the end
The hardest part for Robertson and his colleagues was not in the midst of a cold winter, but at the time when the summer observation team was about to come to an isolated state, and at this time many Trouble and emotional explosion occurred. The situation where “the end is visible but we still have to quarantine” is stressful for many people, and when they feel relaxed at the end of the lockdown to prevent the new coronavirus epidemic, the number of infected people again Robertson pointed out that there is also a risk of increasing.

◆7: Isolation is an opportunity to look back on yourself
The isolated state seems to be a chance to look back at himself, Mr. Robertson during the Antarctic expedition reflected his actions as a leader and wrote in his diary whether his daily actions were correct. Similarly, the lockdown by the new coronavirus will be an opportunity to re-examine own discipline.



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