So you have taken a positive initiative to self-quarantine. You have every reason to be proud of yourself but you are not.
Anxiety, fear, and loss of control are your primary emotions. After all, quarantine is another form of captivation. And you have every right to be worried.
But wait! You don’t have to suffer silently. There are better ways to deal with semi-isolation other than being resentful and frustrated. Here are a few coping skills you can use during the quarantine.
Know Risks
In the wake of COVID-19, anxiety is real. If you are feeling overwhelmed with confusion about what to believe and what to ignore, you are not alone.
With so much information moving around, we don’t know if we should be scared for our life or should stock up just to avoid empty pantry.
The best solution is to only attend credible sources of information. The best example of such sources is visiting a doctor. But if you are quarantined in your house, this source may not be available to you.
In that case, you can turn to medical news outlets including WHO . to stay informed.
For a quick note, understand that the COVID-19 fatality rate is quite low meaning you can safely recover from it given your immunity system is strong enough. All you can do for your body and life is to nourish and empower your immune system.
A few ways to taking control over your health in these times include resting, remaining hydrated, and benefitting from sunshine as much as possible.
Educate Yourself
Quarantine comes with a hell lot of self-dependence. You have to provide for most of your needs. You cannot rely on family and friends for much emotional and mental support.
You may not want to disturb others after every hour for one or other of your need. And you certainly can’t go shopping for yourself. It doesn’t mean that you are allowed to stock up on groceries and other household items. But a budget and a proper plan will go a long way.
If you are not a planner, now is the right time to learn and practice this skill. Think of all the items that you may need in the coming days. Taking control of some aspects of your life will allow you to feel empowered and confident.
Speak up
The primary reason quarantine takes a toll on our health is the perceptual or actual loss of control. One face of this helplessness is the loss of voice or assertiveness.
The problem is that you are the only person who knows everything about yourself. Unless you advocate about your needs and wants, no one can rightly guess these needs. You have to speak up to remain alive and healthy. And, sometimes, you have to assert those of your needs which others consider unimportant.
Understand that quarantine is not a punishment. People out there only want your, and their, health. They care for you and would listen to your needs if you are assertive enough and believe in your needs.
So, trust the system and get help.
Measure Financial Loss
Financial loss is one big anxiety-inducing factor that comes with the era of quarantine. And it’s unavoidable.
For some of us, it’s easier to navigate this financially uncertain situation. Maybe you are employed in relatively more sustainable and employee-oriented organizations. Others are more worried because of lost business they will be witnessing during this disruption in the economy.
Although we cannot fully mitigate these losses, we can mitigate their effects on our mental health. We can start by recording every loss we will face. Try speaking to your employer or your clients and partners to know what’s in their minds. (Don’t worry we are all in this together. And no competitor is going to snatch your business.)
Once you have evaluated your future sources of income, think about how you can revise your expenses to match the possible reduction. (I don’t think we can imagine creating new streams of income just yet, can we?)
This exercise of calculating your financial risks will allow you to free up mental space and getting a little more certain in this chaos.
Avoid Overwhelm
If I haven’t emphasized it much yet, stop listening to less than credible sources of information.
Yes, situations are getting graver in some areas.
Yes, people are dying.
But worrying about these times won’t help you get healthier. In fact, this concern will only add to your chances of getting sicker.
So, refrain from information overload. Instead, focus on fighting this disease.
Relax
Relax your mind as well as relaxing your body. Be present. Be mindful. And enjoy the small pleasures in life.
Meditate to remain connected with your inner truth.
Explore different areas of mental relaxation including reading stories, listening to music, watching happiness-inducing TV shows, or playing games.
Connect
If I am sharing this tip at the end of the article, don’t assume that it is less effective or less crucial. In fact, this skill is more powerful than any other skill listed here.
Connection with other people allows us to import their feelings in our system. If their emotions are brighter than ours, good for us. If their emotions are heavier, we can extract a sense of fulfillment by helping them raise their spirit.
Other than that, the connection among people naturally elevates moods (unless you deliberately talk about negativity of the situation!).
And the distraction that comes with these interactions is much needed in these tumultuous times.
Take Away
Quarantine brings serious health issues with it. But we can use proven strategies to cope with excessive stresses in these chaotic times.
This article details some tactics you can use to navigate through the stress of Corona-induced quarantine.
