How COVID-19 worsens separation anxiety for 'married bachelors' in the UAE

Gulf News

Away from family, 'married bachelors' in the UAE talk about the trauma of loneliness  Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3n23j9Y  Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV  See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km  #UAEnews #Dubai #Covid19

Transcript

00:00Married bachelor is a unique term used mostly in the Gulf countries to describe expats who

00:08choose to stay away from their dear ones in a different country to make a living.

00:14Married bachelors can be found everywhere, but more so in developed countries moving

00:18in from developing nations due to financial constraints.

00:23With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness and separation anxiety has increased

00:29for married bachelors with strict travel restrictions in place in most countries.

00:34Video calling has become the only solace for them.

00:39Regardless of perceived levels of control, a grief response is to be expected after such

00:44a separation from the family, says UAE-based psychologist Touba Siddiqui.

00:49This includes sadness and despondency, problems sleeping, conflicts with others, social isolation,

00:56fearfulness, changes in energy, headaches, muscle tension and problems keeping up with

01:02the daily routine.

01:03It is a sad feeling when you are alone, when you are staying alone here.

01:09Recently I got, I met with an accident, small accident, but I was all alone.

01:17My wife was worrying the other side and I am here.

01:21Unfortunately, my nephews and friends were here, but family is family, when you get all

01:28protection from the wife and kids means, it means a lot.

01:33Being a married bachelor in the UAE is at least a saving grace given the kind of country

01:38this is.

01:39So, even if you are alone, like talking about myself, I have been alone here without my

01:43family for the last four, almost five years now.

01:46But there is so much to explore, like you can go to the shopping malls, you can explore

01:50the beaches, you can go and enjoy the boardwalk at the canal, just to name a few.

01:55But it's not just all gloom.

01:57Many in the UAE have managed to build a house back in their home countries, educate their

02:02children and make a nest egg for their retired life, all by being married bachelors.

02:09Here are a few tips for married bachelors to stay happy.

02:12Learn and practice active relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness.

02:18Convert your focus to hobbies.

02:21Communicate and be active.

02:24Help those in need.

02:26Turn your attention towards those most in need.

02:29Make a plan.

02:30Try to refocus your worries and fears and turn them into something useful and productive.

02:36Develop healthy coping strategies.

02:40Develop a daily routine, regular sleep-wake time and regular food.

02:45Commonly discuss emotional issues with your spouse or a trusted family member.

02:51Identify good friends.

02:52Set boundaries and avoid getting involved in relationships with emotional strings attached.

02:59Avoid using alcohol and smoking to combat stress.

03:04Reach out.

03:05Therapy is a good way to seek support and engage with a therapist if you are not able

03:09to cope or manage.

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