Effects of Isolation
The rapid spread of the coronavirus has left many of us feeling anxious and upset. If you are self-isolating or in quarantine, it’s easy—and very normal—for those feelings to be magnified.
So what steps can you take to cope with feelings of isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Develop a Routine
When you’re stuck at home, it’s pretty tempting to lounge on the couch in your PJs all day. Yet as comfortable as that might be, it can, in fact, undermine both your productivity and your mental health.
Instead, most experts recommend coming up with a daily routine that mirrors your “normal” schedule.
For example, get up at the same time as you normally would, take a shower, and dress in everyday clothes. Write a to-do list or a list of your goals for the day. If you are working or studying from home, it’s a good idea to establish a quiet, well-lit, distraction-free workspace that you can “go to” just as you would go to the office, library, or coffee shop.
Sticking to a schedule will help you be more productive throughout the day—even if you aren’t working from home—and will help set clear boundaries between “work” and “relaxation”.
Stay Active
Developing healthy lifestyle habits like eating a good diet and getting plenty of exercise are always important, but never more so now. Staying healthy and active physically is a critical element in staying happy!
If you can, get outside for a walk around the block.
If you can’t go outside, there are still plenty of great ways to exercise indoors. For example, what about an online yoga or Tai Chi class? And many gyms and exercise studios have even begun offering virtual group classes over Zoom or Google Hangouts: participating will only help you stay healthy but will increase your social contacts as well!
Stay Busy
Staying busy at home is the best way to keep yourself distracted and to make the days pass more quickly.
Take this time as an opportunity to clean out a messy closet, re-read some favorite books, try a new recipe, or even start a new hobby.
And it’s ok to pamper yourself as well. Give yourself a foot massage, for example, or take a long bubble bath. When you have completed a project for the day, or achieved a goal, reward yourself by lighting some scented candles (lavender is known to have a calming effect), making a cup of soothing tea, and curling up to watch a favorite movie or TV show.
Get Some Light
Our bodies need exposure to natural light to maintain both a strong immune system and a positive mood.
If you can’t get outside for some sun, let the sun inside by opening up curtains and drapes. If natural daylight isn’t available, artificial lighting above 500 lux can effectively simulate natural light.
But don’t forget to turn the bright lights off two to three hours before bedtime to let your body establish healthy sleep patterns.
Connect with Others
Just because you’re stuck at home, doesn’t mean you have to be disconnected from friends and family. In fact, social contact—even virtually or remotely—is even more critical now than ever.
Luckily, modern technology offers lots and lots of tools for staying connected online. Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype, and Facetime, for instance, all offer person-to-person or even group videoconferencing, for free. While mastering the technology for the first time can feel intimidating, these technologies are actually pretty easy to use and a great way to “see” family and friends without leaving your house.
And starting an email correspondence or even having an “old-fashioned” phone call are always great ways to stay in touch without leaving your home!
Stay Positive
When surrounded every day by so many negative headlines, it can be hard to stay positive. But keeping a positive outlook is a critical piece of fighting feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. And like anything else, sometimes maintaining a positive attitude just takes a little practice!
If all the negative headlines are undermining your outlook, it’s ok to limit your exposure to news and social media for a while.
Spend a few minutes every morning brainstorming a few things you are grateful for. Keeping a daily “Happy Thoughts” journal can sound corny, but it really does help remind you that it’s not all doom and gloom.
And remember, this unique moment in time presents some wonderful opportunities as well, for strengthening bonds with your family, planning for the future, and simply slowing down to take care of yourself and your loved ones.
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