Mental Health in Times of Quarantine

Quarantined much?

Yeah, me three. This virus took over so fast, it made our heads spin. Our lives were changed drastically. We went from laughing at Coronavirus memes to hoarding toilet paper real quick. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is going through something right now. Those of us at home are lost because the days are starting to bleed into each other while the essentials have to go out into this new dangerous world, risking their health every day.

I don’t think that stress levels have been as high for everyone as they are now. The CDC website has information on how to cope with mental health during this pandemic. They list some issues that may arise during the outbreak that include changes in sleep and eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, fear and anxiety over your health or the health of loved ones, and increased use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.

I can attest to everything stated above. My sleep pattern has been completely bonkers. I have been drinking as if it’s Friday every day, and I am just moodier in general. I realize now that I am losing control because of the lack of structure in my life recently. So, to help myself and any other strangers out there reading this little old blog, I’m listing some tips on how to keep our head screwed in for as long as this incarceration lasts.

1. Have a schedule. Now, I’m not saying to have your whole day planned, but make sure that you have an idea of what and when things need to be done. For example, if you have to pay your bills, or finish homework, make sure you set a date and time to do them. Doing this ensures that you stay a somewhat responsible adult while the world crumbles around you.
2. Go outside. Please use common sense and stay away from those hoards of people that seem to be turning a blind eye to the fact that thousands are being infected daily. An article from UVA Today says that sunlight and being around trees benefits your mood greatly. A little fresh air is good for the soul, especially now that the air is cleaner because of less pollution.
3. Don’t spend all of your time on social media, for the love of God! It will rot your brain. There is more that you can be doing than looking at the same quarantine memes. You don’t need to constantly watch TikToks of celebrities being bored in their huge mansions.
4. If you feel like you are totally losing it, reach out to someone. The wonderful thing about phones nowadays is that you can video chat with most people in a second. Have a laugh with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, catch up during quarantine. Everyone is bored, so I am sure that conversations will go great for most people.
5. Stop watching or reading the news excessively. We get it…Coronavirus is taking over the world. There’s no need to remind yourself every hour of how scary the world is right now. Watch something funny on Netflix. Trust me it helps. No one can take laughter away.
6. Don’t stray too far from self-care. Pajamas are all the rage nowadays, but not showering and dressing up can really affect your mood and keep you feeling bummy all day. Self-care includes physical activity, not eating all of your quarantine snacks at once, and practicing mindfulness.
7. Expect to have low moments. As much as we try, we will always have moments where we feel hopeless. Remember that they are fleeting moments full of anxiety and fear. We are all on the same boat. When you feel a bad moment coming on, shift your focus to something positive, whether it be a loving family member or something special you are looking forward to when this is all over.
8.  Focus on the good in the world right now. With everything that is bad, there is a lot of good right now too. There are helpers and volunteers everywhere. Humanity is showing its true colors, and we are kind. Not everything is bad right now, remember that.
9. Find anything to do. A new hobby, a new book to read, anything. Draw, color, do a puzzle. There are so many things you can shift your attention to. Maybe you are more creative than you thought.
10. Find humor in life. For me, humor is what is keeping me sane. Watch comedy shows, read funny books, watch funny movies, laugh! Call your funny friend.

Everyone, especially those of us with previously crossed wires in our brain, need to remember that this is temporary. It may seem as if we’re living the same day over and over again, but there is an end to this. The uncertainty we all carry is heavy, so lets all carry it together.