4 Tips to Survive the Loneliness of Quarantine / Isolation
How to survive the sorrow of isolation during the covid-19 pandemic?
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | Healthbiztips
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| 4 Tips to Survive the Loneliness of Quarantine / Isolation Photo credit: Greg Rakozy @grakozy @unsplash |
It's in our nature to be social, so isolation is indeed a serious threat...
Let's face it, for many of us, it's not easy to be alone, especially in challenging times such as the Covid-19 pandemic. This is an unprecedented disease that urged many people, even frontliners, to temporarily isolate themselves from their family to protect those they love the most from being infected with the disease. Moreover, quarantine and social isolation can make individuals suffering from mental health problems like depression vulnerable. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to not succumb into the loneliness of isolation.
1. Exercise
Adapting a regular exercise regimen may be a drag especially if one is not used to it, but keeping one's body moving is key to health. Physical activity affects the brain in a profound way as it improves memory, learning, and motivation. The great thing about it is it has an immediate ability to boost one's mood and energy level and have a lasting effect for both the body and mind.
2. Reach out
It is of utmost importance to keep your line of communication open considering that isolation can have serious health and mental repercussions.
We are lucky enough to be living in this digital age when interaction is as easy as a click of a button. Here, we see how modern communication means like digital messaging and video call can fill the gap for the need of human interaction. In fact, it's a typical scenario for a long distance family member or friend to stay in touch through mobile applications, calls, and text messages.
3. Do something else
It is a bad idea to concentrate all your thoughts on the fact that you're all alone in this fight. Here's where a person's "indoor" hobby and interests comes handy. Instead of sulking, why not read a book, watch an on-screen show, clean your house, or learn DIY stuff through Youtube videos. Most of us just want to get by in times like these so don't be so difficult on yourself if you end up spending much of your time doing unproductive stuffs. It’s certainly better than crying.
4. Join a virtual community
What if there are issues or problems that you find awkward to discuss with family or friends, do you just keep it to yourself? Fortunately, you don't have to. There are lots of people online who share the same troubles or passion with you, and you can easily find them through social media sites such as Facebook.
Sharing your thoughts with folks who you know can better understand you, can relieve anxiety and stress, but do be careful because there are fraudulent and criminal minds out there as well who can take advantage of you. As a rule of thumb, do not share any personal details nor agree to a meet up. If you're not familiar with the online world, you may find it surprising that there are individuals who wire a large sum of money to a person they have never met in real life just because of the lies and promises they made during their online conversation.
