The COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions have us adapting to the #wfhlife and social distancing. Though these measures are for the good of all, the changes can have an impact on one’s mental health. While it’s always important to actively manage mental health, times like this underscore this need. We’re sharing our top 5 ways to stay sane throughout the quarantine.
- Communicate with loved ones virtually - and get creative! During times of stress (like now), some people have a tendency to turn inward, rather than reach out to others, leading to loneliness and increased stress levels. Whether you are at home solo, with a significant other, or with roommates, it’s important to stay in touch with family and friends outside your home to avoid this.
I suggest setting up a time, even if just once a week, to talk on the phone with a group of friends or family members. Use a video platform like FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or Zoom to make it more personal. Look for ways to mix it up as well! Try Houseparty or Jackbox to host a virtual game night or have a virtual movie night with the Netflix watch party feature. You could even eat dinner “together” by cooking the same meal and enjoying it at the same time over conversation and wine.
Clickhere for more ways to virtually communicate with loved ones.
2. Remember that self-care is EVERYTHING. Self-care has been trending for a while, but it’s now more crucial than ever! Whether working from home or finding ways to be productive, it is very important to take time out of your day to focus on yourself. This could be through working on your beauty regimen, exercising, working on a hobby, or finding simple new things that make you happy. Try creating your own skincare routine, setting aside time each day to knit / draw / write or experiment with hair and makeup styles. Even taking the time to get ready and wearing your favorite outfit can have a huge impact! Get more inspiration on self-care tips here.
3. Self-reflect! Many of us were so busy with our daily routines that we never really had the time to step back and reflect - we’ve got that time now! When’s the last time you thought about your short-term or long-term goals, personally and professionally? Are there things you’ve been wanting to accomplish but kept pushing to the back burner? This time provides a perfect opportunity to understand where you would like to be and to create an action plan for getting there - the first steps toward becoming what you’ve always envisioned. Clickhere for more information on the positive impacts of gratitude.
Self-reflection can also take the form of practicing gratitude. Need a little help finding the good? Try this life coach’s5-day gratitude challenge to broaden your perspective.
4. Get out. Whether you were a gym member or not, staying active is still important during the stay-at-home restrictions because your physical health can affect your mental health. When your main scenery consists of your living room and kitchen, it’s important to get moving - even out of the house! Go for a run, explore new neighborhoods through daily walks, do some gardening, or even take your yoga to the back yard. Try to spend at least 20 minutes in the fresh air each day to reduce your stress levels. Of course, always follow your city or state’s guidelines on social distancing and health/safety measures to ensure you’re still doing your part. For more suggestions on how to stay active, click here.
5. Sharpen your skills. Pick a skill you always wanted to learn and master it during the quarantine. The skills don’t need to be work-related or even particularly serious - find some fun things! This allows you to get creative, distract yourself, reduce stress, and give you something to look forward to.
For instance, I always wanted to learn how to braid my own hair. After two days of practicing, I have mastered a basic braid and am now working on adding new styles. I’m excited to show off my braids when I’m back in my normal routine post-quarantine. For more ideas of skills to learn, visithere.
See what the CDC has to say about mental healthhere or scholarly articles on COVID-19here.
These five methods are proven to help boost moods - we hope you can incorporate them into your own lives! Stay tuned for more tips for making the best of this #wfhlife.