From "Social Coocooning" to "Family Coocooning"!

From "Social Coocooning" to "Family Coocooning"!

Many of you have probably noticed that our relationships with friends and acquaintances have changed significantly. We used to meet regularly at parties, go to the cinema or go on a pub crawl. These shared experiences were an integral part of our social life. Although there are still one or two people who can enjoy such events, overall they have become much rarer.

For many people, especially those with no or only a small family, this change has serious consequences. The lack of social contact often leads to social anxiety, sadness and stress disorders. Some even develop depressive disorders. The familiar places of gathering are missing, and with them the opportunities to exchange ideas and experience the feeling of community.

But how did it all come about?

A few years ago, before Corona, an exciting term emerged: "social cocooning". It describes a modern phenomenon that reinterprets old behaviors. It involves retreating into your own home, where you consciously isolate yourself from social life. You make your home as pleasant and comfortable as possible and invite friends and family to share this feeling of well-being.

Unlike hermits, who completely avoid contact, people who socially cocoon seek contact with others, but prefer interactions in their own, comfortable environment. The reasons for this withdrawal are varied.

This trend was already evident in the late 1970s, even though it didn't have a name at the time. Friends met in the four walls of their own home because it was often less comfortable and more expensive outside.

In the 1980s and 1990s, social life increasingly moved outdoors. Public spaces and dance clubs became more popular, and friends visited their homes less often. The focus was on shared experiences in public, which was encouraged by growing prosperity.

With the arrival of the Scandinavian concept of “Hygge,” this changed again. People began to value a cozy and inviting home. This led to a new upsurge in social cocooning, where the home became the central place of social life.

This lifestyle was also supported by the increasing awareness of work-life balance. People recognized the need to look after their own well-being and found the home environment to be the best place to do this. This type of social life has a long tradition, especially in rural and northern regions where public services are limited.

The reinforcement by the Corona pandemic

The Corona pandemic has significantly increased the trend of social cocooning. When the pandemic broke out and strict contact restrictions and lockdowns were introduced, people had to drastically reduce their social activities. Public places such as restaurants, cinemas and venues were closed, and many social events were cancelled. This often left people with no choice but to retreat into their homes.

This forced retreat led many people to start making their homes the main place for their social interactions. Their own four walls became a safe haven where they could protect themselves from the virus. This encouraged the design of apartments and houses into cozy and inviting places where people felt comfortable and safe.

With physical meetings with friends and family severely restricted, social life shifted to virtual space in many cases. Video conferencing and online meetings became the norm, allowing people to stay in touch without having to leave their homes. This reinforced the concept of social cocooning, as the home became the center of all activities - from work to leisure to social interactions.

The pandemic has also raised awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing. Many people realised how important it is to have a place to retreat to where they can relax and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. This led to an increased emphasis on designing one's home as a place of calm and security.

"Family Cocooning" - Family retreat

If we look at the current situation, it is clear that social interaction has continued to decline. Many people report a new phenomenon that can be described as "family cocooning".

People are increasingly withdrawing into their closest family circle, while friendships and acquaintances are neglected or even abandoned completely. This happens even though the family, professional and personal structure appears to have changed little.

One reason for this development could be that the pandemic has established new habits and behaviors that are difficult to break. During the lockdowns, many people learned to focus on their immediate roommates or family members and to meet less with friends and acquaintances. This habit of limiting oneself to one's closest circle has become permanent for many.

In addition, the pandemic has caused a certain amount of social fatigue. The constant uncertainty and associated stressors have led people to be more conscious and frugal with their social interactions. Many have realized that they need fewer social contacts to be happy and have started to shrink their social circles to focus on essential relationships.

Digitalization has also played its part. Virtual meetings have replaced physical encounters in many cases. Although this was a necessary adjustment during the pandemic, in the long term it has led to face-to-face meetings becoming less frequent. The convenience of digital communication has led many to invest less effort in physical meetings.

This development has resulted in many people's social networks shrinking. While family ties may have been strengthened, many have neglected their friendships and acquaintances. The prioritization of family and closest contacts over broader social interactions has shifted social cocooning towards an even more private "family cocooning."

In summary, the effects of the corona pandemic have not only led to an increased focus on domestic life, but also to a reduction and reprioritization of social contacts. This has further intensified the phenomenon of social cocooning and at the same time changed it towards a state in which family withdrawal dominates.

In addition to the effects of the pandemic, other factors also play a role in the emergence of "family cocooning".

Conflicts such as the Ukraine war or social discontent have led to an increase in political tension and insecurity, which contributes to people retreating to their own safe havens.

In addition, political hostility and social discontent are increasing, which is affecting trust in society and the sense of community. At a time when the world is characterized by conflict and uncertainty, people are increasingly looking for security and safety in their family environment.

In this context, "family cocooning" is gaining importance as a response to external challenges and uncertainties. It is an expression of the need for protection and security in an increasingly unsettled world.

Communal loneliness

A kind of communal loneliness arises in which many people, young and old, feel isolated and alone, even when surrounded by other people.

The effects of social isolation hit teenagers particularly hard. At a time in life that is already marked by numerous changes and challenges, a lack of social interaction can have particularly serious consequences.

It's no secret that platforms like TikTok, Instagram and the like, as well as gaming, often serve as a kind of protective shield for teenagers. At first glance, it may seem like our children are always busy, be it playing an online game or scrolling through social media - a new form of social interaction with like-minded people. But behind this facade of busyness, there is often a different reality.

The virtual world cannot replace real interpersonal relationships. For many young people, the online world and gaming are merely a temporary consolation, an escape from reality, where they feel lonely and isolated. This social isolation can cause or exacerbate a variety of mental health problems, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders and even bedwetting.

It is therefore vital that we as parents, educators and communities are sensitive to the needs of our young people. We should not only keep an eye on their physical health, but also support their emotional and social development. Our children need a balance of rest and activity to develop healthily. We should encourage them to cultivate friendships and discover hobbies that really excite them - whatever type of hobby they are.

At the same time, it is important to avoid the other extreme: parents who keep their children busy from morning to night without taking a break. These parents often claim that their children want it that way and cannot relax anyway.

But this is a fallacy. Children who are constantly on a schedule can suffer from severe stress and overload. This can lead to emotional problems such as anxiety, depression and behavioral problems. It can also affect their physical health by causing sleep disorders, fatigue and a weakened immune system.

The effects of social isolation are felt by people of all ages, especially those who do not have a strong family background. For them, loneliness can be a particularly great burden, affecting their mental health. In fact, this social isolation is a much-discussed topic among therapists, as they are increasingly confronted with the consequences of isolation.

It is important that we do not close our eyes to this reality. If we know someone who often feels alone or has few social contacts, we should not ignore them. Instead, we should try to include them in our "family cocooning" and let them participate in our lives.

It's amazing how much warmth and comfort a simple invitation or an evening spent together with other people can provide. By giving other people the opportunity to be part of our community, we can help alleviate their loneliness and give them a sense of belonging and connection. At a time when the world is facing challenges and uncertainty, it's more important than ever to be there for and support one another.