Coronavirus: 9 tips for Staying Sane during Social Distancing
Tip 1: Establish a Routine
Routine serves as an anchor. Coping with unpredictable times can feel more manageable when we have structure in place to look to. For example, knowing that we will be having our evening meal around 6 pm, and going to bed around 10 pm, can be a real comfort. WIth the measures of social distancing and working from home are becoming more common; it is more important than ever to shower and get dressed as if you were going to work. How we look often affects how we feel. Showering and dressing for work are small decisions that can ultimately impact our mood and ability to work effectively.
It can be tempting to sleep in and eat unhealthy food but, they just add to the immune and psychological stress you are already experiencing. Consistency is key!
Being stuck at home can easily become a week of Netflix binging. Although it sounds like fun, save watching your favorite series for evenings and weekends. Find something special to look forward to on the weekends such as hiking or streaming a new movie.
Tip #2 Get active
Now is a great time to engage in activities that you really enjoy such as music, art, or gardening.
Exercise is great at boosting mental health. There are studies that say it can be as effective as an antidepressant. Aerobic exercise in particular can help with stress relief, as well as help keep our bodies healthy in the face of medical risks
There are countless at home exercise videos that you can find online. However, it doesn’t have to be anything special. Simply, lunging throughout the house, performing body weight squats, and push ups are all great!.
Tip #3 Go outside
It is important to follow the guidelines of the CDC and if you are sick or have been incontact with someone who is sick, please stay home. If not, you are likely still allowed to go outside. Just a quick walk through your neighborhood can make a great deal of difference with your mental well being.
If you are a parent, you may be wondering about playgrounds. Stay away! The virus is known to linger on hard surfaces(SN: 3/4/20), though it’s not clear how much that scenario might contribute to infections. The virus remains viable longest on plastic and stainless steel, where it can be detected for two to three days, though infectivity drops substantially after 48 hours, researchers report March 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine. This can be a great time to have kids help with gardening, family hikes, or bike rides.
Tip #4 Focus on Family Time
Do your best to make staying at home fun and enjoyable. Develop activities that the whole family can participate in. Learning to cook, watching movies, and playing board games are just a few ideas of how to connect as a family during this crisis .
Tip #5 Connect with friends and people who are vulnerable
It’s time to get creative and take a page out of the younger generations book. Utilizing technology is a great way to stay connected with those we must stay physically distant from. Call your parents, set up video chat dates, host a virtual dance party. There are a lot of ways to stay connected without spreading the virus. It’s also important to recognize how important these connections are not only to your mental health but, to those who are isolated or may be going through a rough time.
Tip #6 Give each other some space
We cannot avoid the inevitable. Being stuck in the house will cause stress in your relationships with people you live with. However, taking simple steps and thinking ahead can minimize some of the strain.
Take breaks! Everyone has different needs when it comes to space. Make sure everyone in the house is communicating what their needs are in terms of solitude.
With general anxiety and stress being high, we will all need to replenish our positivity stockpile and each person does that in a different way. Try your best to be understanding and open to these personal differences.
Tip #7: Limit your exposure to the news
Staying up to date on the news is important, particularly with updates coming by the hour. However, it is important not to obsess about the news. If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, take a break. Try relaxation exercises, yoga, or reading.
Tip #8 Look on the bright side
Feeling optimistic may seem difficult during these times. Finding a silver lining can be very helpful in reframing our negative thinking and ultimately improving our mental health. Social distancing provides everyone with a great opportunity for self growth. It’s hard to imagine that you haven’t had that thought of “I really should get ____ done around the house.”. Now is the time to do those things chores, improvement projects, cleaning, or prepping the garden.
It is also a great time to learn something new. Consider taking free online courses or simply watching how-to videos on youtube.
Take this time as an opportunity to reset and reprioritize.
Tip #9: Recognize that it’s ok to be feel down, and talk to someone about it
It makes sense to feel distressed, and talking to someone about it can be helpful. Currently, our office is offering phone, skype, facetime, and google hang out sessions. For more help please consider the following Pennsylvania resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
Crisis Text Line: Text "PA" to 741-741
Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
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Tips adapted from Columbia university blog post.