As Coronavirus, along with cold and flu, is going around, many people are facing being stuck in their house. Being stuck in the home can affect you not only physically but also mentally. With that said, I want to give you some ideas on how you can cope with being secluded.
One, take care of yourself physically, especially if you feel unwell, either physically or mentally. Wash your hands, drink your water, consume hot liquids, and get rest (which is one I personally am not great about doing).
Two, take care of yourself mentally. If the stress of everything going on is getting to you, practice basic relaxation techniques like deep breathing, use an app like Calm to practice meditation, and take a break from social media if all the comments on toilet paper hoarding are getting on your last nerve.
Three, take care of yourself preparation wise. Buy an appropriate amount of supplies like hand soap and sanitizer. Listen to or look up reliable resources on the virus outbreak. Then take a deep breath and STOP. Once you have your supplies and your knowledge, relax knowing you have done all that you can.
Fourth, take care of yourself distraction wise. If all this virus talk is freaking you out, turn the TV to something funny or entertaining, watch movies, bake cookies, do a crossword puzzle, or even practice a mental exercise of counting down from 100 by 7’s (source:therapistaid.com).
Five, take care of yourself relationally. Call your family. Text your friends. Heck, if you have stamps, you can even write a letter to someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Pray. Not only does it allow you to connect to your higher power, but it also allows you to send thoughts and strength toward those you care about, along with bringing you comfort.
In conclusion, there is a lot you can do to take care of yourself holistically when you are couped up in the house. I hope you give some of these ideas a try today!
