Around the world, people are in quarantine as governments ask us to stay inside, distance ourselves socially, and wash our hands. As we do our part in trying to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, the sudden weight of these crises can leave you feeling discouraged. Use the helpful quarantine tips in this article to stay happy and healthy.
Statistics surrounding the global pandemic can appear unsettling. At the time this post was written, over 375,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus, more than 16,000 have died, and several countries have closed their borders. As multitudes of people are in quarantine and practicing social distancing, it’s important to focus on health, both physical and mental.
Staying healthy and happy takes effort. Fortunately, mental health is closely studied by members of the medical community. You can use quarantine tips from all the experts during the next few weeks to keep you motivated, happy, and ready to take on whatever comes next.
Mental Health Quarantine Tips:
1. Look for the Good
Even during difficult times, you can always see the silver lining. Try and focus on the positives you see around you. How you interpret your emotions depends on how you frame them. Sandi Mann, author of Ten Minutes to Happiness, advocates for “positive psychology.”
This field of study suggests that focusing on small, positive things can improve mood. Mann says that answering the following questions can help you find more happiness.
- What experiences, however mundane, gave you pleasure today?
- What praise and feedback did you receive?
- What were the moments of pure good fortune?
- What were your achievements, however small?
- What made you feel grateful?
- How did you express kindness?
You can keep track of your answers by keeping a daily journal. Doing so will help remind you of the good things that happened, and it will also help you notice them as they happen.
One positive aspect that has occurred since the outbreak is comradery between individuals. Everyone is coming together. They understand a small part of what everyone is feeling. Remember that comradery throughout your day, and you can remind yourself that there are still good things happening in the world.
2. Keep Moving
The second of the quarantine tips is don’t throw exercise out the window because most gyms closed their doors. You still need to keep your body moving. Exercise is a crucial component to staying physically and mentally healthy. Fortunately, many businesses in the fitness world are uploading at-home workouts that offer a variety of exercises. These at-home workouts can be found on sites like YouTube and Instagram.
Medical professionals at Tanner Clinic suggest getting the same amount of exercise you did before quarantine, if not more (especially as most days you will sit around more than usual). You can do this by taking walks around your neighborhood, staying six feet apart from others who are doing the same. You can also try bodyweight exercises like burpees, squats, pushups, and sit-ups. There are also lots of live workouts sponsored by gyms, fitness brands, and others hosted on social media platforms that you can participate in throughout the week.
3. Distract Yourself
Another one of the good quarantine tips is sometimes focusing on the positive might not be enough during the corona-crisis. Take time to wind down and distract yourself with some things you love. Start a new show on Netflix, read a book, organize your closet, or listen to music. The important thing is that you don’t get caught up in staring at your phone for too long.
Since the epidemic began, you may have started bingeing the news like you used to binge your favorite television series. It’s easy to get caught up in headline after headline. Of course, you want to know the latest updates concerning the coronavirus, but sometimes you need to put down your phone and let it go for a moment.
4. Feel Your Emotions but Don’t Dwell on Them
Don’t confuse distractions from the coronavirus with occupying yourself from understanding your emotions. Pushing your feelings aside can lead to developing trauma along the way. Here is why you should “lean into” your emotions, rather than running away from them:
- You can’t avoid the bad without pushing away the good.
- Struggling with your emotions causes suffering later on.
- Experiencing all your feelings is part of having a full life.
Treat your future self with care this quarantine by letting yourself feel the full-spectrum of your feelings. If you want to cry, cry. If you want to laugh, laugh. Do what you need, and you might even learn a healthy trick or two you can keep once you get back to your regular routine.
Physical Health Quarantine Tips:
5. Eat Healthy
A quarantine tip for your immune system is that your body needs proper nutrition. Fortunately, staying at home all day long means you can brush up on your culinary skills. Try your hand at healthy dishes that incorporate as many unprocessed foods as possible.
You should also try limiting unhealthy snacking. Before reaching for a snack, think about if you are hungry or eating out of boredom. If you are hungry, swap out the chips for an apple or a healthier option.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet will also help you mentally and emotionally. Dr. Eva Selhub wrote for the Harvard Health Blog, “Put simply, what you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, your mood. Like an expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress… Unfortunately, just like an expensive car, your brain can be damaged if you ingest anything other than premium fuel.”
6. Help Others
As you stay at home, think of ways you can help someone else. While service opportunities may seem limited during the Coronavirus epidemic, you can probably do more than you think. FaceTime someone who is self-quarantining or those in at-risk groups like your parents or grandparents. Staying connected will help during a time where isolation and loneliness are permeating our communities.
You can also serve others by helping out small businesses that are struggling. You could order takeout, use a drive-thru, or try food delivery services. You can also shop at local retailers who offer online shopping.
Along with helping your local economy and those closest to you, you can thank those rendering services right now or smile at the next person you pass on the street. Whatever you choose to do, will come back to you in folds. The world needs positivity right now, and you might find it by looking outside yourself and focusing on someone else’s needs.
Quarantine Tips Conclusion
In the following weeks, consider following these quarantine tips instead of worrying, obsessing over your social media feed, or developing unhealthy habits. Do your best, and you will make your way out of this.
If you are struggling, Tanner Clinic is here to help. Our Utah-based family healthcare facility is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.