“THERE HAVE BEEN PANDEMICS AND EPIDEMICS BEFORE: IT WILL PASS.”
stress and uncertainty. I am exercising online to keep my energy up. Although it is still winter here and temperatures are regularly sub-zero, I air the apartment daily as the fresh air is mood-boosting.
“Most of all, I am trying to keep busy. Watching too much TV can adversely affect my mood, as can too much screen time on other devices. I try to be aware of my own limits and switch from screens to book, to games and back again, where necessary.”
Keeping in touch with the outside world and making sure you have plenty of activities available to occupy your mind in various ways is vital for looking after your mental health, says Mill. “Make sure all communication channels are working – internet and phone, speaker and camera.
“Plan for times to chat with others and stimulate your brain in as many ways as possible – read, do puzzles, watch comedy, exercise.”
It’s easy to despair and feel like everything is grinding to a halt, but by joining forces we can all get through this. Remember that talking and laughing with others can be like a salve to the soul. Simply voicing your worries and having them listen and understand will make you feel better, as will having a laugh and playing 1
Quarantine can be a chance to rediscover offline pastimes like board games and crafting. 2
Make a home movie getting the whole household involved – at social distancing of course. 3
Write to a friend far away (or close by) and tell them how much they mean to you. Or send them an unexpected gift. 4
Engage in those jobs you’ve been meaning to catch up on – journal your feelings, learn a language, do some stargazing, declutter your wardrobe or organise old photos! 5
Exercise is a fab stress reliever, so try an online yoga tutorial, fitness or dance video.
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For adults, hold a virtual happy hour. Connect with friends on video conferencing or FaceTime and enjoy a ‘quarantini’.
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Spending time with a pet is a lovely stress reliever. Your pet will appreciate it, too. Don’t have a pet? Cute animal videos are sure to make you laugh. Or take a virtual tour of a zoo. 8
Camp out. There’s nothing stopping you from pitching a tent in your backyard and toasting some marshmallows. If you’re in an apartment make an indoor version with sheets. games. We’ve already seen examples of these types of interactions across the globe, with folks singing together from balconies and rooftops in Italy, while Chinese citizens have been holding dance parties in isolation centres and participating in online dance parties using social media platform WeChat.
Mill recommends finding out the facts from reputable media sources, maintaining perspective by comparing the number of people who have contracted coronavirus with the overall population, and using the experience of isolation as an opportunity to work on personal growth. Others, particularly children, will follow our lead if we stay strong and focus on the positives.
For people still suffering in solitude, professional services such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue remain open. You can phone them and others to ease your anxiety, which is completely normal in this kind of situation.
Experts say that humans are hardwired to become anxious in the face of uncertainty and forces outside our control, but we can take solace that scientists and medical staff are working hard to contain the virus.
Those who are spiritual can also seek comfort in their faith, as it can be helpful to view current events as the work of a higher power rather than random and senseless. If you’re not religious, finding some other meaning from this madness can make you feel better, whether it’s assisting others or using it as a chance to work on improving yourself. You might consider fostering an animal in need while you’re spending so much time at home, grocery shopping for an elderly or disabled neighbour, or leaving excess fruit and vegetables from your garden out for others to take free.
“Make this meaningful. Use this time to become more compassionate, helpful, patient, calm and resilient. Every challenge is a time to grow as a human being so we look back afterwards and say ‘Wow, I did that!’” says Mill. “There have been pandemics and epidemics before: it will pass.” Stand strong, believe in yourself and trust in the future.” mindfood.com/self-isolation