Summary: Around 30% of people reported changes in cognition, memory lapses, and difficulties processing information linked to the social isolation imposed by pandemic lockdowns.
Source: University of New South Wales
Researchers have identified a “Groundhog Day” effect from lockdowns that can impair everyday memory and cognitive function.
Although detailed Australian data are still limited, a large Italian study of people who spent roughly two months in lockdown reported common increases in distraction and mind-wandering.
Professor Brett Hayes from UNSW’s School of Psychology notes that a survey of about 4,000 respondents showed roughly 30% experienced noticeable changes in daily cognitive performance.
Typical problems included misplacing common items like a mobile phone, difficulty sustaining attention, and losing concentration while reading or watching videos online.
“People would literally start one task and, without intending to, drift off to start another before finishing the first,” the cognitive psychologist explains.
Those with heightened emotional distress—depression, stress, or anxiety—reported more pronounced symptoms, but even people without mental-health issues commonly experienced these cognitive changes.
How the brain lays down memories
The research suggests the pandemic’s repetitive routine creates a “Groundhog Day” context that makes it harder for the brain to form and retrieve distinct memories. Context plays a crucial role in how human memory encodes experiences.
“When we work at home, talk with a friend, or watch a film, our brain encodes not only the main activity but also incidental details—where it occurred, the time of day, and other background cues,” Prof. Hayes says.
Those incidental cues provide the context that helps us separate one day from the next. In normal life, movement between places and varied daily routines create distinct contexts that make memories easier to store and later recall.
Lockdown restricts movement and reduces variety in daily life, so many days share very similar contexts. That repetition blurs experiences together and contributes to what people describe as memory fog.
Recovery is quick when restrictions ease
A study of a two-month lockdown in Scotland assessed memory, decision-making, and selective attention through online tasks. Performance dipped during lockdown but rebounded relatively quickly after restrictions were eased, particularly when social isolation decreased.
Social interaction levels during lockdown were linked to cognitive performance: people who maintained online contact or conversation more frequently tended to perform better on cognitive tasks.
“Complete social isolation is particularly harmful to cognitive functioning,” Prof. Hayes says. “Maintaining interaction—whether with household members or through online calls—helps protect thinking and memory.”
Researchers also observed that people who had meaningful conversations within three days of testing were somewhat more resilient to cognitive problems during prolonged lockdown periods.
Other studies highlight the benefit of daily variety and physical activity during movement-restricted periods: even modest outdoor exercise, taken along different routes, gives the brain fresh contextual cues that support memory encoding and day-to-day distinction.
“From a memory perspective, varying your walk or exercise path day to day gives your brain different contextual markers,” Prof. Hayes suggests. “That helps you remember what you did on different days more clearly.”
Change your exercise routine
Introducing variation into home activities and exercise routines can help reduce memory fog. Physical activity is closely tied to cognitive health, so keeping up regular exercise helps preserve memory and decision-making skills during lockdown.
Even when movement is limited, active options such as exergames—screen-guided exercise that involves physical movement—have shown cognitive and social benefits because they combine activity with interaction.
Online group classes like yoga, dance, or guided workouts were commonly reported as beneficial for both mood and cognitive functioning. These activities add variety, encourage movement, and provide social contact, all of which support cognitive resilience.
While long-term effects of repeated lockdowns on memory remain under study, current evidence indicates that cognitive difficulties tied to isolation tend to improve as social restrictions ease and daily variety returns.
About this memory research news
Author: Diane Nazaroff
Source: University of New South Wales
Contact: Diane Nazaroff – University of New South Wales
Image: The image is in the public domain
Original Research: Open access.
“Subjective cognitive failures and their psychological correlates in a large Italian sample during quarantine/self-isolation for COVID-19” by Brett Hayes et al. Neurological Sciences
Abstract
Subjective cognitive failures and their psychological correlates in a large Italian sample during quarantine/self-isolation for COVID-19
Objective
Quarantine and self-isolation measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 may have adverse effects on mental health. This study examined how psychological symptoms influenced the occurrence of cognitive failures in a large cohort of home-dwelling Italians during quarantine.
Methods
Researchers used an online questionnaire that included the Perceived Memory and Attentional Failures Questionnaire (PerMAFaQ) along with measures of resilience, coping style, depression, anger, and anxiety.
Results
The survey, completed by 4,175 participants, found about 30% reported cognitive failures at least occasionally during quarantine, and some reported these failures frequently. Resilience partially mediated the relationship between depressive and anger symptoms and cognitive failures. Although no PerMAFaQ differences emerged among those working remotely, working in person, or not working, people currently unemployed reported more frequent cognitive failures.
Conclusions
The findings underline the need for psychological support and psychoeducational programs to reduce anxiety, depression, and anger and to build resilience. Targeted interventions for vulnerable groups could help mitigate possible longer-term cognitive consequences of quarantine and prolonged social isolation.