Isolation mind hacks

Julie Catt’s tips for maintaining peace of mind.

Keep in contact with people outside your household – your best friends, your parents, whoever your support system is. Don’t just text. Hearing someone’s voice or video calling really does make a difference. And when you have those conversations, be honest about how you feel. If we can’t be authentic at this point, we’re in trouble.

Create a routine. It might mean getting up at the same time every day, making a coffee at the same time, taking a walk at the same time. All those things build a little bit of security into your life.

Exercise is important. Get outside, get some Vitamin D, get some endorphins.

Try not to feel pressure to take up quilting or gardening or run a marathon. If you don’t feel like it, that’s okay. Everyone’s individual. Remember this has a beginning, a middle and an end. While there’s uncertainty around how long it will last, we know we won’t be here forever. And remember that humans are adaptable. We will come through this.

If the going gets too tough, remember, you can always find help at Lifeline on 13 11 14; Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au; Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800; QLife for the LGBTQI community on 1800 184 527; or for family violence counselling call 1800RESPECT.