Dealing With Quarantine, Physically and Mentally
Project Lotus April 2020
Throughout the United States, COVID-19 has brought a halt to much of public life. Schools have been suspended, “non-essential” stores have been closed, and many people are no longer working. Life, as we once knew it, has entirely changed. For many, this pandemic is causing fear and anxiety.
Below are some stress-relieving techniques of self-care activities you may want to add to your toolbox, in order to adjust to the new realities.
Stick to a Regular Sleep Schedule
Without the obligation of waking up for school or work, it might be tempting to go to bed at any hour during the night (or day). However, going to bed at 4 AM and waking up at noon throws the body’s natural circadian rhythm off, leading to constant drowsiness, weight gain, and impulsive behavior. Some also may be tempted to skip sleeping altogether, gaming or scrolling through social media all night long. Although it might be difficult to motivate yourself, try to sleep before midnight and get a full 7-9 hours of sleep.
Keep in Shape and Stay in Touch with Nature
During this pandemic, it is very important to self-quarantine for the safety of the community. But as many of us are starting to realize, the weeks of staying inside are starting to take its toll on everyone. Remember to do some basic exercises, and take short walks. After all, will there ever be a better time to workout when you have nothing else to do? Simply being out in the sun can revitalize your body and mind, and the air outside is now cleaner than ever due to the limited cars outside.
Eat Healthy, Cook or Support Local Businesses
It can be easy for many of us to fall into bad eating habits during an extended break at home. Continuously snacking on high fat and high sugar foods can have detrimental health effects in the long run, so remember to eat a balanced diet.
During this pandemic, many local businesses have lost the majority of their customers. When ordering takeout, buy from local businesses that cannot sustain themselves as well as multinational corporations can. Support the community by ordering takeout!
Keep in Contact with Loved Ones
Even if the quarantine shuts down public life, it is important to remember to keep in touch with many of the people that we see throughout the day. While we may take the many interactions between friends and classmates for granted, they are an important way for us to not just live, but to thrive. As physically meeting with friends is no longer possible, life becomes quite dull. Thankfully, video call apps allow us to speak with many of our friends and loved ones.
Be Productive
Being stuck at home doesn’t have to be a lazy, uneventful time. In fact, it is now more important than ever to remain productive. Seize this opportunity to improve on schoolwork or learn skills and hobbies you didn’t have time for before. Our brain needs different kinds of stimulation, which can be achieved by remaining diligent.
Relax and Relieve Stress
Despite the lack of stress from school or work settings, we still experience a lot of stress from current events or absence of human contact. Dedicating time to relax the mind everyday will allow you to reflect on yourself, improving focus and productivity. Find low energy activities like meditating, reading, knitting, etc. to take a break from these uneasy times.
If you want a peaceful - yet amusing - activity, take a look at this website or this website!
Unplug From Social Media and the Internet
With this quarantine, screen time across the United States has shot up significantly. The Washington Post reports that people can spend up to 4-8 hours on their phones alone while being at home all day.
Because the internet is constantly providing high-intensity information, it can be a source of stress. Local news focuses primarily on the negatives, and although staying updated on the current situation is a good thing, being too invested will cause unnecessary anxiety. Take mental breaks as well as physical breaks from devices everyday to focus on the smaller world around you, like family and personal hobbies.
We understand. Being stuck at home may seem dull and unattractive. Many of the daily activities we used to do now seem far, far away. Additionally, we may fall into bad habits such as staying up late, or binge eating. This is why it is important for us physically and mentally to follow good lifestyle habits and to keep our minds active.
If you are feeling particularly helpless or stressed, always be sure to reach out, either to loved ones or Text SHARE to 741741 to get connected with a crisis text line.
