Several countries around the world have made it mandatory for their citizens to quarantine themselves to put a pause on the havoc wreaked by COVID-19. As of now, there are over 5, 42,385 confirmed cases and more than 24,368 deaths worldwide from the #Coronavirus. While quarantining yourself at home is absolutely essential to contain the spread of the pandemic, it does not come without its share of repercussions.
Mental health struggling during quarantine?
It is important to understand that everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. So while some may find it peaceful to stay holed up and not be bothered by the outside world for a while, others don’t cope up that well. In fact, recent research published in the medical journal The Lancet points out that there can be a host of psychological impacts of quarantine. These can range from anxiety, anger, sleep disturbances, depression and even PTSD ( post-traumatic stress disorder).
If you already have a preexisting mental health condition, it is all the more crucial for you to ensure that you take provocative measures to take care of yourself, which includes getting enough shuteye, maintaining a proper schedule and most importantly not missing your medications.
Here are certain measures you need to take to ensure that your mental health stays on track:
1. Maintain a proper sleep cycle
Even with remote working, it can be really easy to lose track of time and completely ruin your sleep schedule. The disruption in your daily routine can be one of the most difficult aspects of quarantine. So, no matter how much you Netflix and chill or scroll on social media, it is really important to hit the sheets on a reasonable time every day. This will ensure that you wake up comfortably the next day and not laze around on the bed all day long. Sticking to a normal routine will also help you stay more productive which in turn is good for your mental health.
2. Get up from that couch (or chair)
We cannot stress enough on the importance of getting up and moving even when things are relatively normal. So, when you are cooped up at home it is even more essential to take breaks regularly from whatever you are doing and do some stretching as a bare minimum.
If you lose track of the time you can set alarms to get up every 40 minutes to at least get yourself a glass of water. Moreover, schedule a time to work out whenever you feel the most productive and stick to it. It will help in boosting your mental health.
3. Change out your pajamas
Before rolling your eyes, hear us out! Feeling good on the inside also comes from how you are feeling on the outside. This is why it is important to take a shower and get dressed in something that is comfy and makes you feel good about yourself. Staying in pajamas all day long may lead to a feeling of being unwell or unproductive, and neither of them is good for your mental health.
4. Don’t go overboard with news
While it is important to be aware of the latest news around coronavirus, but there is no need to stay updated 24/7. When you stay immersed in the news the whole day, you are more likely to feel withdrawn, upset and overwhelmed with where the world is heading.
Our advice? Steer clear of an overly negative piece of information, Whatsapp forwards and even the news readily available for consumption on various social media platforms.
5. Go out in your balcony or roof
It is understandable to feel irritable when you are inside your home all day long. If you have a balcony or a roof, make use of it and go out and feel the sun on your face. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, get a book and sit down and read something. Alternatively, you can also open the window of your bedroom and let the sunlight in.
The bottom line
While you may not always feel like doing something drastic for the sake of your mental health, the good news is even the smallest efforts count. Whether it is making your bed after getting up, washing the dishes on or getting some sun, they can push you in the direction of handling the quarantine in a better manner.
Coronavirus Lockdown Stress