As many of us approach the start of the fourth week in self-imposed quarantine to “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a longer period of quarantine and social distancing to follow, we’re all growing a little stir-crazy. Not only are many of us are finding ourselves distanced from normal social interaction with friends and coworkers, but the stresses of home life, difficulty obtaining supplies, and fear of the pandemic itself takes its toll on our mental and physical well-being.
These are stressful times.
Now more than ever, we have to prioritize our mental, emotional, and physical health.
According to the CDC, stress due to an infectious outbreak can cause:
Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Worsening of chronic health problems
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Stress can take extreme tolls on us, particularly over prolonged periods of time.
Understanding that we are not in normal circumstances and that we need to treat ourselves gently is just the beginning. Here are my top tips for stress management and improving both physical and mental health during self-isolation.
5 Habits that Will Improve Quality of Life During Quarantine
1) Go Outside
Fresh air is hugely beneficial to one’s mental and emotional health. Not only do our bodies take in a dose of vitamins from limited sun exposure, but nature itself has proved to have a calming, healing effect. While some parks have closed, others remain open, allowing for an opportunity immerse yourself in nature. This doesn’t just go for those of us looking to go on a run, though that is hugely beneficial.
Grab the family bicycles and go on a ride together. Pack up and have a picnic. Even if you just spend time gardening in your own back yard, there are clear and proven benefits of getting outside. It does wonders for our health.
2) Limit Your Exposure to News
All of us want to be informed. However, with our instant access to news and the constant bombardment of our news feeds, it is easy to become overwhelmed and anxious. This isn’t even accounting for the amount of misinformation that goes around. Knowledge can calm many anxieties, but commentary and speculation usually don’t.
Limit your exposure to “news” outside of recognized health authorities, like the CDC, and government authorities. Stay informed, but not at the cost of your mental health. If you find yourself getting worried and worked up, put the phone, the tablet, the laptop, or TV away for awhile. Focus on something you can do and control.
3) Keep Up Good Habits
Our lives have been turned upside-down seemingly overnight. I know that one of the big challenges has been avoiding stress and boredom-eating! It’s so important that we strive to maintain a sense of normalcy in our lives. This isn’t to deny changes, but it is to maintain healthy habits. Continue to cook fresh, whole foods for meals rather than ordering out or rely on processed foods.
Keep up your exercise routine even if you can’t go to the gym. Take a walk outside, buy a pair of free weights and exercise at home. Jump rope in the driveway. Continuing to be active, healthy, and in a routine will help you cope.
4) Find Community
In this time of self-isolation, it becomes very easy to grow disconnected from everyone outside of our immediate family. We’re social creatures. We need that interaction with friends and loved ones. Community is critical in times such as these. While we may not be able to gather in person, look for communities that live stream or conference call together. Start a group with your own friends or family and regularly check-in.
Apps like Macro Polo, Zoom, Skype, and Facebook all can help us stay connected. That’s not to mention the value of a good, old-fashioned phone call!
5) Create Projects
Lastly, give yourself things to do that you want to accomplish. As families stuck in quarantine, we’re either packed to the gills with work-from-home duties combined with first-time homeschooling, or we’re incredibly bored. Regardless, take the time to create and do projects, either by yourself or as a family.
Plant a garden. Clean up the garage. Get around to those home projects that have gone neglected. These projects give you something tangible to do and focus on — something with a beginning and an end. This will help you feel productive and accomplished in the middle of all the chaos.
How are you caring for yourself mentally and physically during this trying time? Share your best tips in the comments.